The University of Utah is removing the iconic Hoberman Arch outside of Rice-Eccles Stadium. The HobermanArchwas a key part of the imagery of the 2002 Winter Olympic games in Salt Lake City. It served as a mechanical curtain for the Olympic Medal Plaza’s main stage. After the games, it was moved to the University of Utah, but according to University spokeswoman Maria O’Mara it was never going to be a permanent arrangement.
“I mean the University always knew this was sort of a 10 year time frame, roughly, that the arch would be here," she says. "And the city was interested in looking for a place for it, so this is just the culmination of that discussion.”
She also says the University will use the vacated space to expand game day activities that take place before football games.
Once it’s taken down it will head to a Salt Lake City owned storage facility, and it could be there a while. The city doesn’t have any specific plans for the arch and finding a space and the funding to restore it could take more than a year.
The University of Utah is paying for the tear down and transportation of the arch. They estimate that it will cost more than $100 thousand.