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Show 684 STATE OF UTAH Utah State Fair Association Salt Lake City 3, Utah» April 6,; 1951 Dr. A. Ray Olpin President University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah Dear Dr. Olpin: Have noted recent publicity in the Utah press with reference to a proposed boxing match at the University of Utah Stadium. You probably realize that the statutes creating the State Fair Association provide for the use of the fair‘facilities, at times other than during the dates of the fair, to any events that might produce revenue to be used for the fair and the main- tenance of the grounds. With this in mind, and knowing our potential revenue from athletic contests held on the grounds, we asked for a minimum appropriation in the amount of $17, 500.00 per year to conduct a fair, which costs us approxi- mately $125, 000. 00. In addition we maintain the grounds, repair the buildings and make small additions necessary as we go on. The State Fair Board feels that we should not be in competi- tion with any other state group, which of course includes the Athletic Division of the University of Utah. We realize that with the athletic events for the University, we find plenty of competition when something is going on at the Fair Grounds, but this must be taken in its natural stride. We do not think that it was ever the intention in providing the stadium that it should be used in competition with other facilities in the community. We trust that the Board of Regents will recognize these facts and fail to grant permission for its use for events other than actual college or university needs. We have felt further that the renting of the Field House for the professional basketball teams is not justified as a fitting use of this state owned facility, when such games can be played to a very good advantage in the Coliseum as proven by the appearance of the Harlem Globe Trotters each year. On Thursday, April 5th, I attended a meeting of the Utah Chamber of Commerce Executives, which is comprised of the secretaries of the Chambers of Commerce throughout |
