ADU’S: CITY TRIES TO MANAGE A COMPLEX ISSUE
By Mimi Darley Dutton |
Many homes in Draper have motherin-law suites, carriage houses, granny flats, and the like. But not every one of those is an ADU.
“Just because a house has a second kitchen doesn’t mean you have an ADU. You have to have a door with a locking unit. Typically, it’s locked off or walled off from the main home. You’re creating a full, second dwelling unit on your property,” said Jennifer Jastremsky, community development director for Draper City. There are two types of ADUs:
1) Detached ADUs (DADU)-detached from the primary dwelling. One example is an apartment above a detached garage.
2) Internal ADU (IADU)-contained within the footprint of the primary dwelling. A basement apartment is an example.
“All ADUs are required to get an ADU permit with the city, whether it’s being rented or not,” Jastremsky said.
The initial application fee is $450 and annual renewal costs $50. “With the permits, we’re able to verify that the ADU complies with code such as additional
parking space and owner occupancy of the property. In addition, the property owner can get a separate mailing address for the ADU and our emergency services know there’s a separate address,” Jastremsky said. That separate address can be vital for emergency services to find whomever it is that needs help when time is of the essence.
Resident homeowners in the area of Orgill Band, Pepi Band
Dance company Siva Pasefika brings the spirit of Aloha to Draper Amphitheater
By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
Enthusiastic Draper residents inspired the St. George-based Polynesian dance company, Siva Pasefika, to perform this month at Draper Amphitheater. The company will present “Origins,” an evening of music, dance and storytelling showcasing “The Spirit of Polynesia” on Sept. 7.
Siva Pasefika founder, April Te’o Keil explained, “We have quite a few people from Draper who come to our studio and take a dance class.” Over the years, Keil received so much encouragement from members of the community to bring Siva Pasefika to Draper, she was determined to make it happen. “My first time working with Draper City has been amazing,” she said. “I hope they will have us back.”
Keil described “Origins” as a “very energetic show” featuring live music, hula, fire dancing, haka, storytelling and sand art. Traditional dances from Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and Tahiti are all represented. “Musicians will serenade the audience for an hour before the show,” she added. Music from all of Polynesia will be performed.
“The beauty of it is to see the dances from all the islands,” she said. “This show is produced from our heart and soul, hard work and sweat. We do it because it’s a responsibility of ours to share the culture and perpetuate it.”
Perpetuating Polynesian culture was the main impetus behind the founding of Siva Pasefika back in 2006. When Keil moved her family from Samoa to Utah, she wanted her children to be grounded in the Samoan culture.
“Growing up in Samoa, dance is part of everyday life,” she said. The name of the company means “Dance Pacific” in the Samoan language. “You grow up singing and dancing,” Keil said. “It’s part of the school curriculum. Everyone finds their own harmony, it’s an innate thing.”
Keil began teaching traditional Polynesian songs and dances to her own children then
opened the classes to the public. Siva Pasefika currently operates out of its own studio. The company performs regularly at Tuacahn in addition to other Utah locations.
Dancer and instructor Aisake Vuikadavu was born and raised in Fiji where he learned the traditional dances. He has performed all over the world including the opening ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City as a member of the BYU Living Legends. He moved to St. George in 2009. “I’ve been in Siva Pasefika ever since,” he said. Vuikadavu performs all of the Polynesian dances in the company’s repertoire.
“When I first started, it was like a backyard luau,” he said. “Now it’s a whole different experience. It’s a feeling, more than entertaining.”
“A lot of us are spiritual people,” Keil said. She explained that the show is called “Origins” because it tells the story of the origins of the Polynesian people through song, dance and art. “There is a deep meaning of what we do and why we do it,” she said.
Keil hopes that audience members will be inspired to reflect on their own origins and what they can pass down to their children and grandchildren. “We want people to walk away with an understanding of where we come from and where we will go,” she said.
Vuikadavu elaborated on what inspires
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him to keep dancing as a member of Siva Pasefika. “For me, it’s an opportunity to share our culture and to touch peoples’ hearts,” he said. Siva Pasefika will present “Origins” at Draper Amphitheater at 8 p.m. Sept. 7. The gates open one hour earlier. Tickets must be purchased online as there will be no on-site box office. Prices range from $24 to $31. Draper Amphitheater is located at 944 Vestry Road. For more information and the link to purchase tickets, visit www.draperutah.gov/ events-programs/draper-amphitheater/origins-spirit-of-polynesia.l
The Polynesian dance company, Siva Pasefika, performs in this photograph from 2023. (Photo courtesy April Te’o Keil/Siva Pasefika)
Sinalei Lara Keil, lead choreographer for Siva Pasefika, performs in this photograph from 2023. (Photo courtesy April Te’o Keil/Siva Pasefika)
Historic win vaults Corner Canyon to a top-10 national ranking
For the past several years, the Corner Canyon High football program has been establishing its dominance in Utah with four state titles and two runner-up finishes in the last six seasons. On Aug. 22, the Chargers made sure that the country is also taking notice at any even higher level with a 35-34 win over defending national champion IMG Academy (Florida). And, when national rankings were released the following week, Corner Canyon was recognized as anywhere from sixth to ninth depending on the poll.
"We just kept telling our kids, believe in yourselves," head coach Eric Kjar said of the biggest win in program history.
The game was all tied at 7 after the first quarter when the Chargers answered an IMG touchdown with one of their own—a 45-yard touchdown reception for junior wide receiver Kai Meza from four-star junior quarterback Helaman Casuga. Corner Canyon gave up three touchdowns in the second quarter while scoring just once on a 33-yard strike from Casuga to five-star senior wideout Jerome Myles to find themselves down 28-14 at the half.
With an emphasis on more assignment-sound defense after a halftime pep talk from defensive coordinator Cody Gardner, Corner Canyon responded with a near shutout over the game’s next 30 minutes while the offense put up three scores and took a 35-28 lead. With under two minutes left, IMG scored a TD and head coach Bill Miller elected to go for a two-point conversion which senior free safety Brock White stuffed near the goal line, giving the Chargers a one-point win.
Casuga threw for over 300 yards and four TDs and ran another score in from one yard out. Three of those through the air were to Myles, including a one-handed 25-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter to tie things up, as part of his five catches for 125 yards outing. On the defensive side, junior outside linebacker Dustin Otuafi recorded 13 tackles while White and sophomore linebacker Diesel Dart had 10 each.
“Our kids just kicked butt, especially in the second half,” Kjar said.
In its first game of the season Aug. 16, Corner Canyon senior running back Bryton Brady took the opening handoff from Casuga 75 yards to the end zone in a 70-42 win over American Fork. Senior wide receiver Chryshaun Lee had three touchdown receptions while Meza, junior Bronson Evans and senior lineman Zion Finau also scored.
The defending 6A state champion Chargers are also being led this year by key returners in senior offensive tackle Paxton Naegle, senior offensive guard Kaydon Williams, senior center Nai Filivao, junior offensive lineman Esun Tafu, senior wide receiver Drew Whatcott, senior cornerback Keaton Adamson, senior defensive back Seth Carlson and senior linebacker Jayden Talauega.
Other newcomers who are expected contributors are sophomore offensive tackle
By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com
Jackson West, junior offensive tackle William Chandler, junior wide receiver Blake Ames, junior running back Weston Briggs, junior middle linebacker Mason Wood, senior defensive back David Conan, junior free safety Mason Hamilton, senior free safety Brendan Peavley, junior outside linebacker Jaxon Evans, junior outside linebacker Tate Patterson, senior defensive tackle Nathan Holladay, junior defensive end Jayden Pearce, senior defensive end Eli Paynter and senior defensive back McKay Wells.
Also on the CCHS squad this fall are seniors Jordan Barlow, Mason Brady, Kingston Cooper, Teagan Johnson, Aedan Marr, Xavier Shaefer, Dallon Stokes and Preston Whatcott; juniors Tanner Adamson, Jaden Allen, Cole Bonham, Eli Borg, Tinau Fiaui, Ryan Harkness, Jabez Haungatau, Lucas Jackson, Rhett King, Deken Knowles, Jase Kozlowski, Micah Larkins, Bridger Matthews, Solomone Nau, Davis Nelson, Scottie Pepper, Alapati Pili, Jake Roe, Luis Sanchez, Kaigan Solberg and Drew Towner; sophomores Zach Adamson, Ethan Alejo, Mason Ames, Tui Angilau, Hudson Armstrong, Jackson Boswell, James Bowman, Dallin Bradshaw, Manase Brown, Carson Burnett, Jackson Carruth, Mateo Castro, Braxton Crawford, Pierson DeGracie, James Dowland, Kampton Dutton, Owen England, Will England, Breven Ewing, Lisiate Fevaleaki, Luke Hale, Josh Harris, Rylan Hughes, Carter Kjar, Dylan Macievic, Daegan Mason, Axyl Meine, George Neibaur, Alex Orr, Marshall Ostler, Eddie Otuafi, Isaac Otuafi, Blake Parkinson, Jaxon Pehrson, Chase Peterson, Cale Rashid, Jack Rasmussen, Parker Reading, Chase Richards, Crue Rugg, Omarion Sanders, William Tenney, Fui Vakapuna, Dayton Vance, Wyatt Warner, Landon Welling and Cameron Wade; and freshman Bridger Young.
(After press deadline) Corner Canyon was upset by third-ranked Lone Peak and is also scheduled to face Farmington and Skyridge before Region 2 play begins. l
Twenty-five Corner Canyon High seniors are back to help the Chargers defend its 6A state title this season. (Photo courtesy A Strong Photography)
Corner Canyon High junior quarterback Helaman Casuga has thrown 10 touchdowns in two wins so far this season. (Photo courtesy A Strong Photography)
Corner Canyon High senior wide receiver Jerome Myles has caught four touchdown receptions in two wins this season. (Photo courtesy A Strong Photography)
Corner Canyon High senior free safety Brock White had a game-saving tackle in the Chargers’ historic win over defending national champion IMG Academy (Florida) 35-34 Aug. 22. (Photo courtesy A Strong Photography)
Corner Canyon High football coach Eric Kjar has built the Chargers program into a powerhouse that is now on the national stage. (Photo courtesy A Strong Photography)
TCorner Canyon girls soccer looking for ‘big surprises’
he Corner Canyon High girls soccer team came into the season ranked third in 6A with high hopes of improving on a second-round exit in the 6A state tournament last fall with a 3-2 loss to Skyridge.
“We have a good team this year,” said third year head coach Fode Doumbia. “Therefore, we are capable of ‘big surprises.’”
The Chargers will be led by its four senior captains in defenders Bella Call and Chaselyn Nichols, midfielder Kenzie Randall and goalkeeper Hagen Haycock.
“They are all starters who are going to make a great contribution this year,” Doumbia said.
During the offseason, Doumbia and his coaching staff implemented a new system and style of play based on his current personnel that he hopes can make a big difference on the field, particularly with his returning players who combined for seven goals, five assists and five shutouts last season.
Junior midfielder Channing Wuest along with key newcomers in sophomore forward Layla Valdez and sophomore defender Leah Carver will also be looked to for significant contributions this fall.
Also on the CCHS team this year
F our key players – junior Molly George, sophomore Evelyn Marsh and seniors Tayvee Ash and Kate Ord – returned for the Co-Region 2 champion Corner Canyon High School girls tennis team from a squad that tied for fourth place in the 6A state tournament last season.
George and Marsh are the Chargers’ top singles players while Ash/Ord are the No. 1 doubles pairing for head coach Allison Rideout’s program.
Also on the varsity team this season are freshman Emery Rideout – who plays No. 3 singles – while sophomore Ruchi Pawar, sophomore Sophia Millich, sophomore Anna Dorny, sophomore Emiy Creason and senior Julianna Buchmiller have been rotating through the lineup for the second doubles team.
Corner Canyon just returned from the Panther Slam Tournament in St. George where they placed first with Marsh, Emery Rideout and Ash/Ord winning their lineup spots. Pawar/Millich and Dorny/Creason combined to win No. 2 doubles. “They all killed it!,” coach Rideout, who is in her fifth year, said. George was second at No. 1 singles at the tournament.
Also this season, the CCHS team has defeated American Fork 5-2, Alta 5-0,
By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com
are Clair Call, Leah Carver, Olivia Edwards, Tessa Egbert, Rachel Enslow, Avalon Fenlon, Xandi Feroah, Ciara Gastelo, Kate George, Olivia Gleason, Rylee Graham, Ella Iverson, Annika Johnson, Ava Kohler, Amahra Latu, Ellie Lewis, Halle Lloyd, Abby Love, Kamree McDougal, Blakely Neider, Olivia Nordhoff, Addison Paynter, Lily Pearce, Alice Peterson, Liv Rockwood, Sophia Sims, Ava Toombs and Brynn Wheeler.
“We’re excited about the season with some new players who were underclassmen last year,” Doumbia said.
So far this season, Corner Canyon defeated Hillcrest 6-0, Maple Mountain 2-1 before losing to No. 5 Lehi 4-3 on penalty kicks after a scoreless game, 5A’s fifthranked team Box Elder 1-0 and 5A’s top squad Olympus 3-2 in preseason play. In Region 2 action, the Chargers beat Bingham 3-0, Riverton in a shootout and Copper Hills 3-2 in double OT and losing to second-ranked Mountain Ridge 1-0.
Simms and Peterson have both scored three goals each and combined for three assists to lead CCHS while Valdez has added two goals and an assist. Also finding the net this season are Iverson, Love, Gleason, Egbert, Randall and Feroah while Enslow
CCHS tennis starting season strong
By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com
Copper Hills 5-0 and South Sevier 5-0 while also competing at the Ashton Invitational, beating Lehi and losing to Skyline and Timpview.
The Chargers started region play Aug. 27 with a 3-2 win over Mountain Ridge and a 5-0 shutout of Riverton and will also face Bingham, Herriman and Copper Hills in home-and-away matchups to close out the regular season by the end of September.
“My goals are always the same,” coach Rideout said. “We are going to train hard and play hard.”
Also on the Corner Canyon team this year are Kate Anderson, Sophie Balderson, Sofia Bradley, Izzie Bodell, Lucy Beuhler, Ashlyn Covington, Ella Hansen, Clara Lucas, Millie Lucas, Elena Muir, Micke Niemandt, Monet Oaks, Nanette Odion, Sloan Rowe, Gabrielle Walker, Savannah White, London Wright and Sloane Young.
Coach Rideout is being assisted by Adrien Jenskins, Jensen Rideout, Benji Rideout and team managers Claire Summerhayes and Megan Yamamoto. l
and Wuest have assisted on scores while Haycock and Edwards have recorded three shutouts.
Corner Canyon is also scheduled to
face Riverton, Copper Hills, Herriman (twice), Salt Lake Academy (twice), Bingham and Mountain Ridge in Region 2 play to close out the regular season. l
The Corner Canyon High girls soccer team is currently 4-3 overall with a 1-1 Region 2 mark so far this season. (Photos courtesy Fode Doumbia)
The Corner Canyon High School girls tennis team are 6-2 so far this fall including a tournament win in St. George Aug. 23-24. (Photo courtesy Allison Rideout)
Draper Historic Theatre takes a walk on the dark side with ‘Sweeney Todd’
By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
There’s a slight chill in the air at Draper Historic Theatre unrelated to the change of seasons. The theater will present Stephen Sondheim’s comic-horror musical, “Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” Sept. 13-28.
Five years ago, Lamplight Theatre Co. explored the class struggle at the heart of “Sweeney Todd” at Draper Historic Theatre, but the current production takes a different approach. Director Melissa Van Dam explained, “I really wanted to make sure that these characters are all grounded in real people. Our show digs into how these characters are a reflection of society, real people going through real things. People will feel the difference.”
This production is not about caricatures. “There will be no white makeup,” Van Dam added, alluding to Tim Burton’s film version starring Johnny Depp. “But there will be lots of blood.”
Sondheim based his original 1979 Broadway musical on a Victorian era “penny dreadful,” a cheap, sensational work of fiction published as a serial. Set in the 19th century, “Sweeney Todd” tells the tale of an unjustly imprisoned barber who returns to London with vengeance in his heart.
The target of his ire is the lecherous Judge Turpin, who imprisoned Todd so he could have his way with his young wife. As Sweeney Todd engages in a murderous spree of revenge, his neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, a baker of meat pies, devises a
plan to get rid of the bodies. After all, as she sings, “Times is hard,” and meat is costly.
Mrs. Lovett is a darkly comic character. River Robinson, who has taken on the role, sees her as multi-faceted. “She doesn’t come across as a villain archetype, but there is something brewing underneath,” Robinson said. Alone and barely scraping by, Lovett has her own reasons for revenge on a society that disregards her.
Oliver Haws, in the role of Toby, a street urchin who becomes attached to Mrs. Lovett, said, “I’ve never been in a show that takes such a deep dive, asks how did this character end up in this place. It’s so much more personal. Everyone is just human, everyone thinks they’re the good guy.”
As Judge Turpin, Matthew Davids said that the latter point is key to playing “the worst villain in maybe all of theater.”
“To play a villain, you have to believe that you are in the right,” he said.
Because the director has given the actors so much freedom to interpret and bring their own personalities to the characters, the double-cast production has a unique feel to it depending on the cast.
“You’re going to see a different production with different actors,” Davids explained. “I think that’s beautiful.”
Jerrod Dew also plays Judge Turpin.
“My judge is different in his grooming, he is a master manipulator with seething an -
ger,” Dew said. “He’s menacing. I creep myself out on stage!” Dew admitted that he has apologized on occasion to the other actors for his behavior as Turpin.
The role of Sweeney Todd is played by Cameron Smith and Jonathan Saul in alternating performances. “‘Sweeney’ is a show that’s been done for a long time,” Saul said. “The uniqueness of this production starts with the director. We portray our characters as we see them. It is such an honor to play this part, there is so much more opportunity to add more layers.”
Smith agreed saying that he appreciates “the focus on Sweeney the man.” He feels that the character achieves a degree of redemption. “He definitely knows what he did at the end. He gets what he deserves. It’s a well-written scene,” Smith said. He also noted, “The show is very theme-heavy. Obsession, vengeance, madness—these are big themes.”
These themes are expressed through Sondheim’s evocative melodies, which are sometimes not the easiest songs to sing. As Johanna, Todd’s daughter who is virtually held prisoner as Turpin’s ward, Rachel Saltmarsh hits the high notes. “It’s been very challenging for me as a vocalist but also so wonderful to have that push me as an actor,” she said. “It’s been a rewarding experience.”
Saltmarsh described her character as “the girl in the horror movie who survives at the end.” Johanna’s romance with the young sailor, Anthony, is a ray of light in
the darkness.
Tyler Rasmussen, one of the actors who plays Anthony, is enjoying the role. “Anthony doesn’t see the awful things going on around him,” Rasmussen said. “He’s in his own romantic musical. It’s fun playing with that.”
Jaden Burnett, who also plays Anthony, said that he hopes audiences will give their production of “Sweeney Todd” a try. “People should come because we focus on humanity, the need for love and connection,” he said.
“This is a version of the show that people can connect to,” Saltmarsh said.
Van Dam explained how the opening lyrics to the show change their meaning when they are sung again at the end.
“Attend the tale of ‘Sweeney Todd,’” she quoted. It’s a cautionary message. “People can get caught up, lose sight of what is good and bad,” Van Dam said, “We have to watch out for things that can make us lose ourselves.”
The Draper Historic Theatre website notes that the show is recommended only for ages 12 and up for its mature themes and disturbing imagery.
“Sweeney Todd” will be presented Sept. 13-28. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays and Tuesdays with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays. Draper Historic Theatre is located at 12366 S. 900 East in Draper. For tickets visit draperhistorictheatre.org. l
The love story between Anthony (Jaden Burnett) and Johanna (Juliet Ingram) is a bright spot in the dark tale of “Sweeney Todd” at Draper Historic Theatre. (Photo by Ashley Loewer)
River Robinson as Mrs. Lovett and Cameron Smith as Sweeney Todd strike a pose in the Draper Historic Theatre production of “Sweeney Todd.” (Photo by Ashley Loewer)
The barber Sweeney Todd (Cameron Smith) offers clients a very close shave in the Draper Historic Theatre production of “Sweeney Todd.” (Photo by Ashley Loewer)
Mrs. Lovett (River Robinson) offers Sweeney Todd (Cameron Smith) one of her not-so-delectable meat pies in the Draper Historic Theatre production of “Sweeney Todd.” (Photo by Ashley Loewer)
Juan Diego Catholic High celebrates quarter of a century
Nine Juan Diego Catholic High School staff members have been a part of the school since its inception, 25 years ago.
They, and others, will celebrate the school’s silver jubilee 25 years to the day of the campus dedication on Sept. 26.
In honor of the anniversary, the school is publishing a coffee table book that chronicles the extensive art on the campus, said Dave Brunetti, Juan Diego director of campus life.
The book, “Sacred Spaces—A Spiritual Portrait of the Skaggs Catholic Center,” will be unveiled the night before the anniversary, on Sept. 25. A 6 p.m. reception and 7:30 p.m. dinner and presentation will be at Juan Diego’s Labyrinth and Great Hall for alumni, friends, Skaggs family and representatives, former principals and faculty and priests of the diocese.
On Sept. 26, a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Thanksgiving for Juan Diego students as well as St. John the Baptist elementary and middle school students will be held in Juan Diego’s gymnasium. They will be joined by staff as well as former principals and faculty and dignitaries.
That evening will be the anniversary gala, with a 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. dinner.Juan Diego Catholic High School, which opened in 1999 and is affiliated with
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake, is known for its drive for excellence in academics, extracurricular clubs and activities and athletics.
In its 25 years, Juan Diego has received many awards, including being named Best of State for private schools K-12 six of the past seven years. It also was honored in 2019 with the National Blue Ribbon School Award, the first Utah high school to receive the award since 1997.
Historically, Juan Diego’s students achieve in the top 15% of all schools in the nation in English and math and more than 98% of the school’s students graduate, with 94% enrolling in colleges and universities nationwide.
Juan Diego was the first high school in Utah to offer the Advanced Placement Capstone program, introducing it in 2016.
Its principal, Galey Colosimo, received the Spirit of Digital Learning Collaborative award in 2023. He was recognized for his commitment to expand digital learning opportunities not only for his students, but for all students attending private schools in the state. This past spring, he received the Leonard F. DeFiore Parental Choice Advocate Award for dedication to championing school choice legislation for Utah families. l
Juan Diego Catholic High School will celebrate its 25th anniversary this month with an unveiling of a book, a mass and an anniversary gala. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Eight years after graduating from Juan Diego Catholic High School, Andrew Zinman is back in the cross country program, this time as the head coach.
“I’m excited to give back to the program and sport that really helped develop me as an athlete and a person,” said Zinman, who assisted the Soaring Eagle basketball team last season in his first year on campus as a teacher. “I really enjoy working with student-athletes so that they can meet their potential. I think cross country is a
Alum returns to lead JDCHS cross country
By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com
unique sport that stresses mental toughness, self-improvement, and community building. I hope to impart these aspects to my runners as well as to continue to develop the competitive nature of the Juan Diego Cross Country program.”
“Coach Zinman is passionate about the program and Juan Diego,” said athletic director Danny Larson. “I have no doubt he will do great things as a coach.”
Zinman said he is grateful for the opportunity to coach at his alma mater and for the uniqueness of Juan Diego. “This is a special community and program with dedicated students, parents, faculty, and administration,” he said. “I hope that I can continue building upon the work of my predecessor Joe Elliott, who for many years did an excellent job of creating continuity and expectations for success in the cross country program.”
This past summer, Zinman led workouts with the team’s runners to “build a strong endurance base for the season.” “As a coach I try to meet my athletes where they are at so that they can develop and achieve personal success in the sport,” he said. “Through our training, team building, and competitions I hope to develop both the running ability and character of the students in this program.”
The girls team, who were top 10 at the 3A state meet last season will be led by seniors Domiona Marine and Lauren Keegan along with sophomore Ria Kale. Newcomers who will also contribute on varsity are juniors Rickey Brown, Alana Johnson, sophomore Maggie Decker and freshman Ella Kerrigan.
Back for the 12th-place boys squad are seniors Mango Madden, Sebastian Galindo-Ramierez and Owen Kotter along with sophomores Seamua Arndt, Colin Farr, Tyler Lengerich and William Yavelak. Sophomore Paul Claudon and freshman Elijah Emadi are “exciting additions” to the team as well.
Also on the JDCHS squads this season are seniors Lucas Dai, Omar Ramirez-Fer-
rel, Lauren Keegan, Domiona Marine, Jackson Stolz and Matthew Tita; juniors Remington Gray, Pavel Luque and Sean Mulligan; sophomores Seamus Arndt, Paul Claudon, Cameron Fairbanks, Colin Farr, Tyler Lengerich and William Yavelak; and freshmen Elijah Emadi, Jackson Kruse and Serese Wood.
Zinman will be assisted on the coaching staff by Nicole Schmidt, a former collegiate runner and coach at Florida Atlantic University.
In the team’s first meet at the Premier Invitational Aug. 10, Madden was 21st with a personal-best time of 17:26 while Galindo-Ramirez came in 25th to lead the boys to a sixth-place finish. Marine was 24th on the girls side.
“We had a great showing from many of our runners,” Zinman said.
At the RAC Invite at Rose Park Aug. 16, Kerrigan took 16th in the Frosh/Soph division with Marine coming in 25th in the Junior/Senior race. For the boys, Madden was
42nd in the Junior/Senior event and Arndt finished 36th in the Fresh/Soph group.
At Pre-Region at Wheeler Farm Aug. 21, Madden was third while Galindo-Ramirez came in fourth to lead the boys squad to a second-place finish with Arndt (eighth), Farr (10th) and Kotter (12th) rounding out the scoring. On the girls side, Kerrigan was fourth with Marine (10th), Decker (12th), Keegan (18th) and Wood (23rd) also among the top five runners.
“We are striving throughout the season to develop a team culture that is built on hard work and team unity,” Zinman said. “We hope to continue to progress and get stronger and faster as the year goes on.”
Juan Diego is also scheduled to compete at the Timpanogos Invite Aug. 30, the Juab Invite Sept. 5, the Carmelite Fair 5K Sept. 15 and the Bob Firman Invitational Sept. 27-28 before the Region 14 championship at Wheeler Farm (date still to be determined) and the 3A state meet Oct. 30. l
Juan Diego’s Mango Madden returns as the top boys runner for the Soaring Eagle squad this season.
(Photo courtesy Andrew Zinman)
New Juan Diego Catholic High School head football coach Danny Larsen takes the reins of the Soaring Eagle football team, hoping to help the program return to the top of the state’s 3A ranks.
“With this being our 25th year, it’s a big year and I will do my best to put a program together that will represent that tradition,” he said. “We’re a proud program that has fallen on hard times recently, but my job as the athletic director is to get the football program fixed, so that’s what the goal is. Despite going through a rebuild with trying to get more athletes and more coaches, the whole focus has been in this team to compete. In the offseason we’ll address the need for a more permanent solution as head coach.”
Larsen, who has been an assistant coach for a few years and around the program since the beginning, comes in this season with a three-fold mantra of Honor, Compete and Invest.
“We’ll be having alumni, current players and future players be flagbearers for each game,” he said. “It’s our players jobs to compete in everything they do on and off the field and we’ll put more emphasis with involvement in our Little League with better development among the coaches and players.”
The 2025 senior class is “pretty special,” according to Larsen, led by three-year starters in quarterback Hayden Mezenen and running back/linebacker Antonio Archuleta, offensive lineman Aidric Liljestrand and defensive end Darrion Otto. Two-way players include senior running back/linebackers Roman Rossano and Corbin Buckley along with junior linemen Loklan Cruz and Sebastian Ramirez and junior wide receivers/defensive back Braylen Fail and Kingston Taban. Other returning starters for JDCHS are senior offensive lineman Manik Gil Martin, senior linebacker Toby Hardin and junior defensive end Kynoa Jaeger while senior defensive back John Lewis, junior offensive lineman Hunter Landers and junior wide receiver Garang Deng are key newcomers for Larsen’s squad.
“We have a strong offense and defense,”
JDCHS football on field with new coach
By Catherine Garrett | c.garrett@mycityjournals.com
Larsen said. “Our starters are really good, we just don’t have a lot of depth.”
Juan Diego faces a loaded schedule this year against five of the top 2A and 3A teams in the state and a 5A semifinalist.
In its first game with Alta—and first-ever matchup with the Hawks who were among the final four teams in 5A last year—the Soaring Eagle squad lost 35-31 on Aug. 16. Juan Diego started strong and had a 24-7 lead at halftime before the game tightened. A 46-yard TD pass with just over one minute remaining was the difference in the loss after Juan Diego had taken a late lead after a 14-yard TD run by Antonio Archuleta.
Archuleta and Mezenen combined for three rushing touchdowns with Mezenen’s 75-yard TD pass to Fail and Bryson Newport’s 22-yard field goal rounded out the scoring in the loss.
Against San Juan Aug. 23, the Soaring Eagle team lost 33-14, getting down 20-0 at halftime before Archuleta’s 65-yard TD run in the third quarter got Juan Diego on the board. Archuleta ran it into the end zone again at the end of the quarter but that proved to be the only scoring in the loss.
Juan Diego is also scheduled to face Judge Memorial, South Summit, No. 3 Manti, No. 1 Morgan, Union, Ogden, Ben Lomond and No. 2 Grantsville during the regular season.
“This is the toughest schedule we’ve ever played,” Larsen said. “If we can survive it health-wise, we will compete in every game and come playoff time, people won’t want to play us. Even if we’re just around .500, we will have been battle-tested every week and will compete in the playoffs.”
Also on the JDCHS team this season are Jacoby Ahstrom, Diego Alvarez, Evan Anas, Jason Arapa, Ryder Bauerle, Daniel Borsato, Kael Buck, Evan Burkholder, Stephen Burr, Logan Child, Braden Day, Marcus Day, Kysen Dowland, Sebastian Duarte, Drew Grams, Chauncey Harrell, Avie Hernandez, Joe Herrera, Hudson Houtz, Corbin Hurst, Nolan Jones, Jamo Judd, Caden Kerrigan, Cole-
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ton Kramer, Hunter Landers, Aiden Lucero, Aidan Mack, Mario Maestas, Kuna Mataele, Tage McKinley, Aidan Miller, Zach Muirbrook, Bryson Newport, Austin Orges, Marcus Pino, Gabe Ramirez, Oscar Rodriguez, Franky Sandoval, Tanner Schmidt, Tristan Schmidt, Danny Sosa, Michael Spinelli, CJ Starks, Parker Stolz, Keanu Stroud, Zac Szy-
makowski, Kingston Taban, Shohei Takano, Ather Weber and Adam Whittaker.
“This is a hungry, hardworking group,” Larsen said. “I know that’s coach-speak, but it’s true with this group. They want more and I often have to send them home.” l
The Juan Diego Catholic High School football team is back on the field with a new head coach this season. (Photo courtesy Bob McLellan, Shooting Star Photography)
Two longtime city employees take on new roles
Two familiar faces have assumed new roles with Draper City. At the July 2 Draper City Council meeting, Kellie Challburg was sworn in as Assistant City Manager and Mike Barker took the oath to be Acting City Manager. Both have worked for Draper City since 2015.
“We are definitely fortunate to have such talented people in the wings for us as a city. Thank you both for being willing to do what is not an easy job. We appreciate your service,” Mayor Troy Walker said.
Challburg began her career with Draper as Executive Assistant to the Mayor, City Manager and council. Prior to that, she worked in Human Resources for Cottonwood Heights City and then for Murray City as an assistant to the city council. “I was sad to leave both cities, but this position came up and I know Mayor Walker from high school…I knew he would be great to work with and it’s been a great place to be,” she said.
In her time with Draper City, Challburg has continually taken on more duties. She’s been an advisor to the Youth Council and liaison to the Diversity committee, chair for Women in Business for the South Valley Chamber and chair of the Gold Star Families Memorial committee. She’s done grant
By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com
writing including one that resulted in electric vehicle chargers in front of City Hall. She’s also worked with David Wilks, Community Events Manager, to plan and implement all activities associated with Draper Days. “I love that the community embraces events. We put on great events, people show up, and it makes it all worth it,” she said.
In early 2021, the city named Challburg Chief of Staff, a position that hadn’t previously existed. “They kept giving me more responsibilities, so it morphed into a position,” she said.
For Challburg, the best part of the job is the ability to be of help to people. “That’s what makes me happy, when I can help somebody out,” she said.
“One thing’s for sure, Kellie is a person who gets things done,” Walker said.
There’s some learning she’ll do need to do, specifically planning, zoning, and land use. “My biggest challenge is getting up to speed on that,” she said. She’ll also be overseeing risk management and facilities for the city, but she said she likes to learn. “There’s some work ahead. It will stretch me and all of us,” Challburg said.
Like Challburg, Barker welcomes the challenge of learning new things and he’s enjoying the opportunity to try his hand at
the city manager role. “In some ways it’s invigorating. It’s a lot of work, but sometimes a change is as good as a rest,” he said.
Barker is now balancing two big jobs, that of City Attorney as well as Acting City Manager. “It means longer days. I get here earlier to take advantage of that quiet time and I stay later for the same reason. People ask me how I do both at the same time. It’s a Venn diagram. There’s a significant portion in the middle where there’s quite a bit of overlap between the two roles,” he said. He credits Assistant City Attorney Spencer DuShane for also taking on more work since it’s just the two of them in the city’s legal department.
Barker was hired by Draper as City Attorney. He began his law career as a prosecutor for Orem City and eventually became Assistant City Attorney there. After Orem, he worked as Chief Legal Counsel for Unified Police Department from 2009 until coming to Draper in 2015. “I’ve enjoyed my association with law enforcement-training and advising on constitutional issues and how to serve the community within the bounds of the constitution,” he said.
Less than two months into the new job, Barker said he’s attending a lot of meetings and has found that he’s often the final decision maker. “What I’m finding I like about it is there are opportunities to be creative that aren’t present from the legal side. I enjoy the problems solving. I enjoy interacting with residents to address their issues. I enjoy interacting with the mayor and council and trying to fulfill their vision for the city,” he said.
Barker will proceed in the two roles for now. “It’s up to the council if it’s a permanent appointment or if they’ll start looking for another city manager to fill the role,” he
said.
Challburg grew up in Sandy and graduated from BYU where she studied International Relations and Spanish. She and her husband have four children ranging in age from 15-29.
Barker hails from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He came to the United States with his wife to attend college and has lived in Utah County ever since. He has a BS in Geography and a Juris Doctorate, both from BYU. For a period of time he studied city planning in college, but he realized law appealed to him “…because of the breadth of the discipline,” Barker said. He and his wife have three children, two sons who reside in Utah and a daughter living in Alberta.
Barker and Challburg agree on an optimistic outlook for the city. “I think the community has a great feel to it and we should try to always keep that feel. Draper has an amazing, bright future,” Challburg said. “We’ve got a lot of very good employees who care deeply about doing the right thing and helping Draper as a city grow and prosper, the residents and the businesses. We’ve got an excellent mayor and council who want the best for the city. It’s a nice collaboration to have a positive influence in the community,” Barker said.
There is one potential point of contention between the new Assistant City Manager and Acting City Manager, but thankfully it’s not about city business. It’s a matter of college sports loyalty. Both Challburg and Barker are BYU graduates, but she’s had a change of heart in recent years. “My kids have all gone to the U, so now I cheer for the U,” Challburg said with a smile. l
Kellie Challburg and Mike Barker, both of whom started working for Draper City in 2015, were appointed to new jobs in July. Challburg is Assistant City Manager and Barker is Acting City Manager in addition to City Attorney. “It brings me great joy to approve these,” Draper City Councilmember Mike Green said when the council voted to appoint them to their new positions. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)
Traveling exhibit highlights children’s art at Aquarium
By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com
OdyFlores, director of education at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, and Eduardo Baca, consul of Mexico in Salt Lake City, cut the ribbon on Aug. 26 to open an exhibition of Mexican children’s artwork on display in the Aquarium lobby. The temporary exhibition, titled “This is My Mexico,” features children’s depictions of marine ecosystems and biodiversity. The colorful artwork includes everything from bright toucans to underwater coral seascapes. The exhibition has been traveling through various aquariums throughout the United States and will be on display at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium through Sept. 22. “This is My Mexico” was made possible thanks to a partnership between the Aquarium, the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME) and the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City. Baca was the distinguished guest and speaker at the Aug. 26 exhibition opening. He stated in a press release, "Respect and caring for our environment and nature is universal. This exhibition of children's drawings from Mexico and around the world highlights our shared love for nature and our responsibility to protect it wherever we may be. We are delighted to partner with Loveland Living Planet Aquarium and celebrate its commitment to caring and educating more and more communities on our shared planet and nature's creatures.” The Aquarium is located at 12033 South Lone Peak Pkwy. in Draper. For more information visit www.livingplanetaquarium.org. (Photo contributed) l
Joey McNamee appointed to lead the Salt Lake County Library into a new era
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
As an advocate for literacy, technology integration and social services, Joey McNamee is poised to lead the Salt Lake County Library into a new chapter. McNamee was named the County Library’s new director earlier this summer after the library board voted in favor of her appointment.
McNamee has served as interim library director since February, when the previous director, Jim Cooper, retired after 23 years of service. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson ratified the decision of the board which places McNamee in charge of overseeing operations and strategic planning for the library system.
“With two decades of experience at different state and county departments, Joey has demonstrated a deep interest in the needs and services of our residents,” Wilson said. “I am thrilled that her dedication to public service has found a place at Salt Lake County Library.”
McNamee worked in Salt Lake County’s Aging and Adult Services division for more than a decade before being appointed associate director for the Salt Lake County Community Services department in 2022. After a months-long, nationwide search for a new library director, the board realized they already had the right person in place.
“Searching for a new director can be a challenging process, but we were pleased with the quality of applicants interested in
the Salt Lake County Library and all we offer to Salt Lake County residents,” said Spencer Romney, chair of the Salt Lake County Library board. “In just a short time, Joey has shown her strengths as a leader and her extensive knowledge and expertise; we can’t wait to see how her strategy and planning fulfill the library’s mission.”
Although she’s feeling a little overwhelmed, McNamee is grateful for the opportunity to ensure the library continues to be a vital community resource and creativity center.
“I’m lucky that the process took as long as it did, because it gave me a chance to be working in the agency and getting to know the incredible staff who are so dedicated and warm and professional,” McNamee said. “The longer I worked there, the more I wanted to stay.”
With 18 full-service branches, plus programs at the Viridian Event Center, the Salt Lake County Jail and the South Main Clinic, the County Library is one of the top 10 highest-performing circulating libraries in the country. Nearly 13 million items are checked out each year and more than twothirds of county households have an active library card.
McNamee’s responsibilities include
overseeing long-term planning projects, like building updates and expansion. She’ll also be part of the evolution making libraries a community hub.
“Libraries have always been hubs of information and that used to only be books,” she said. “Now that information is accessed electronically, or we serve as community spaces, and we have learning spaces and meeting spaces and create spaces in our library where people are learning new tools and skills. So I think libraries are certainly shifting in how people experience the facilities themselves, but it’s still really core to expanding what you know about the world.”
As communities discover more ways to build connections, McNamee sees the library’s role as key to bridging cultures, demographics and economic disparities. With her background in social services, her first goal is to soak up as much knowledge as she can and set the stage for the County Library to make effective moves in the future.
“I can say that I’m tremendously grateful for this opportunity to work with such an incredible staff and serve a community that I love,” she said. l
Joey McNamee has been selected to serve as the Salt Lake County Library’s new director. Part of her job will be to oversee library expansion and create programs to build community connection.
(Photo courtesy of SLCo Library)
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A complicated issue
For several years, the city has been trying to get a handle on the situation, knowing that ADUs are out there that don’t have the permit and are not in compliance with city code. But ADUs are a complicated issue. “There are a lot of ways you can configure your property to incorporate an ADU, but you’re also creating a bigger demand for traffic and utilities that can tax a neighborhood’s resources,” Jastremsky said.
Because affordable housing is a big problem, many people are looking to rent a place to live while landlords and investors see an opportunity to make money. Some homeowners are looking for creative ways to supplement their income or help pay their mortgage, including renting a portion of their home as an ADU.
The legislature is also in the mix. “State regulations require cities to allow for internal (IADU) units. The city can require street parking for that unit, permits and things like that. The state has not addressed DADUs. The state updated their laws and their goal was to create affordable housing,” Jastremsky said. When state law changed, the city revamped their code to comply in the fall of 2021. “With those changes, the city council approved a grace period to allow property owners to come in and apply for that permit and not face
any enforcement action. We advertised the new code and the grace period on our website and social media. We did have quite a few applications come in right away. Some didn’t qualify for a permit and some had to make modifications to their homes in order to comply with building code, but we got quite a few to come in. I do think there are more out there that haven’t come in and we’d like to see them do that to come into compliance,” she said.
According to Jastremsky, the city currently has about 35 active ADU permits. “I know there are more out there. Those properties really need to come in at this point and get a permit,” she said.
Neighborhood issues
ADUs have been particularly problematic in a South Mountain neighborhood between Highland Drive and Vestry Road near Oak Hollow Elementary. Jastremsky said the area has “quite a few ADUs that seem to be creating issues for that neighborhood.”
Established in the early 1990s, about half of the homes were built with detached garages and apartments above them per South Mountain development guidelines. City code at the time didn’t allow for those units to be rented out separate from the home. Parking is at a premium because the homes were built to be alley-loaded and the neighborhood was designed with more narrow roads than are typically seen
in Draper. Further complicating the matter, with updates to city code in 2021, Draper designated a minimum lot size of 12,000 square feet in order to qualify for a detached unit. But most of the lots in this particular neighborhood are under 12,000 square feet. To remedy that, the city passed an ordinance exempting the neighborhood from the 12,000- square-foot lot size standard. “But they still have to comply with all other requirements within the code, including owner occupancy,” Jastremsky said.
City employee Todd Taylor told the council there are about 80 units in this neighborhood and he estimates the new ordinance will bring about 40 of them into compliance. “The intent is to bring these units into compliance to seek an ADU permit,” Taylor said. Approximately 21 are investor owned, some of those owners don’t live on the premises, and some homes have multiple units being rented out separately (the main unit, the basement unit, and detached garage).
An Aug. 6 public hearing brought many people to speak to the council about the issues in this specific neighborhood.
Owner/investor Ken Murdock said his family has owned three homes in the area for more than 27 years, one of which has three units rented separately (the basement apartment, the main unit and the garage). “That home has four people. It could have seven. Not all of these are packed to the gills,” Murdock said.
Dave Bennett said he owns a home in the neighborhood that he does not occupy. “I want to publicly state I believe I’m grandfathered,” Bennett said, adding he and his attorney believe he has a legal, non-conforming use and units above garages were intended to be rented. “I urge you to make a motion to approve but modify for non-owner occupied,” Bennett said.
Homeowner and resident Josh Christensen told the council the neighborhood has changed for the worse and there are issues, including parking, that require enforcement. “There is a disconnect with not having a homeowner there to see what’s happening,” he said. Christensen described a situation where a renter whose landlord doesn’t live on the premises was arrested for dealing drugs after it was reported and police responded.
Abby and Cameron Shaha took turns cradling their infant while the other addressed the council. They own and occupy their home with their family. “It is disheartening that people admit they don’t intend to comply. It does change things when the person (owner) doesn’t live there,” Abby said. She described soaring prices on 3,000-square-foot homes for sale in the neighborhood because of investor interest. “We’re sympathetic to the housing crisis. Two homes are currently listed for over $1 million. That is not how housing should be appraised, but that’s what happens when people can rent them out,” Abby said.
Homeowners who occupy their homes want to see the city enforce parking and ADU codes immediately. Homeowners who don’t currently occupy the homes they rent do have another option to come into compliance. “They can rent the entire household. That’s not an ADU, that’s an entirely different thing,” Jastremsky said.
Following public comment, the council unanimously approved making an exemption for ADUs on smaller lots in this specific neighborhood, but not to exempt owners from the owner-occupancy requirement.
“I’m glad we’re addressing this. I think it’s important we follow up with enforcement,” Councilmember Fred Lowry said. l
Parking and emergency access has been problematic in a South Mountain neighborhood where some homes are rented as ADUs, including some with the basement, main unit and garage apartments all rented separately. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)
Canyons School District to purchase, retrofit eBay campus for innovation center
When Lynnae Jensen heard the news, she thought it was “fabulous.”
On Aug. 20, Canyons Board of Education voted 5-1 to purchase eBay’s regional headquarters, a 36-acre educational campus in Draper to serve as a new technical education high school. The school board and Canyons administrators target fall 2026 for the opening of the new school.
Jensen is a mother of children who attended Canyons schools and has worked at eBay.
“As a school for high schoolers wanting to do trade work and get training, it would be great for that. It’s a big campus, there is public transportation right there and the facilities would lend itself very nicely to a school,” she said. “CTEC (Canyons Technical Education Center) right now has a few small buildings, so this will open it up with more space, better facilities with a nicer campus. By putting in more resources and getting the right programs and partnerships, there’s going to be more demand and more students.”
Jensen added, “With the numerous computers and programs we ran, eBay invested millions of dollars in the servers to handle all the data that was going through so it should work nicely for hundreds of students. It’s a good fit.”
Canyons District plans to pay $50 million for the two eBay buildings, with 16 acres of developable land which could serve as a site for an additional future school to accommodate the projected student growth in the area.
The purchase will be made with money from capital funds, proceeds from the sale of CSD properties and from lease revenue bonds, said Leon Wilcox, Canyons School District business administrator.
No property was immediately named to liquidate, but Canyons owns properties such as the current aging CTEC in Sandy; the former Crescent View Middle in Sandy which currently is being used for Life Skills Academy for adult students with disabilities; a property in west Draper that has been discussed as a future elementary school site; former school locations now being used as city parks in Midvale and Cottonwood Heights.
Canyons spokesman Jeff Haney said, “Right now, we’re in negotiations on several pieces of property that we own which we can liquidate. These properties at one time were either purchased for future schools, or we had schools on them and they’re not there anymore. The Board of Education has no current plans to shut down a school and then sell that property for this particular contract.”
Wilcox added, “A couple of those we could move fast; a couple others will take a few years. We could look at moving $2-4
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
million range to help cover this from our capital fund balance. The majority of this will be through lease revenue bonds. We can look at issuing around $38 million, give or take, in lease revenue bonds to do this.”
While general obligation bonds frequently are used for the construction of public schools, lease revenue bonds can be used and usually are issued at a higher interest rate, he said.
“They cost the District more; the yield the buyer of the bonds gets is up to the market at the time,” Wilcox said.
He said lease revenue bonds were issued before with the building of Glacier Hills and Peruvian Park elementaries three years ago as well as this past spring, with improvements at Eastmont Middle and Jordan, Hillcrest and Corner Canyon high schools.
“Lease revenue bonds save us the time we would have to wait until a (general obligation) bond would pass to get in a contract with eBay,” Wilcox said, adding it is a common practice for single buildings or renovations such as this.
The lease revenue bond could increase taxes an estimated $20-30 on the cost of a $703,000 average home in Canyons District, he said.
Wilcox said the process of issuing the bonds will begin in September and public hearing will be held in October. The bonds will be issued in November with the expectation to close on the purchase in December. eBay still operates in part of the campus and has the option to lease the property from the school district for up to one year, so CTEC will operate in its existing site at 825 E. 9095 South for this and next school years.
The decision to purchase comes with one school board member, Holly Neibaur, voting against it. She wasn’t opposed to the purchase, just the procedure in which the district is obtaining it.
“My vote is not a statement for lack of support for our awesome CTEC programs,” she said before the vote. “A general obligation bond would have provided for much more public engagement.”
The main 215,000-square-foot building at 583 eBay Way comes fully furnished, has a 400-seat auditorium and commercial kitchen, a workout area and the campus includes outdoor courts for basketball and pickleball and half of a soccer field.
The campus sits north of the former state prison site, an area now under development as The Point, 600 acres of stateowned land that will be developed to cre-
ate thousands of high-quality jobs with cutting-edge innovation and be environmentally friendly.
The area falls into Canyons School District’s boundaries to educate youth living in that area.
Canyons Career and Technical Education Director Janet Goble said the new innovation center isn’t just going to be a move from CTEC, but programs are being reviewed and input from industry is being sought.
“We’re wanting to learn what the workforce needs are so we can educate students for those jobs and align our curriculum to fit the training needed for the workplace now and the future,” she said, adding they, along with other administrators and board members visited six other technical centers nationwide to better understand their business partnerships and programming curriculum.
CTEC Principal Doug Hallenbeck said the 17 existing programs serve about 850 students and will be reviewed as well as those career and technical programs offered in Canyons five comprehensive high schools. Some may make the move to the new center while others may be adapted in the comprehensive high schools. They may expand existing offerings to reduce
Canyons School District plans to purchase the two-building eBay campus for $50 million and turn it into an innovation center for high school students. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
The eBay campus which includes a 400-seat auditorium, commercial kitchen, workout facilities as well as outdoor basketball and pickleball courts and a halfsize soccer field, will be purchased by Canyons School District to create an innovation center near the new residential and business development, The Point. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
the wait list of students in programs such as cosmetology and barbering, welding, construction management, heavy-duty diesel mechanics, medical assistant and pharmacy technician.
District officials say career and technical educational programming could include robotics, engineering, business and medicine and others.
Haney said Canyons wants to target high skill, high demand, high wage jobs that the companies in Silicon Slopes need.
“For example, if a company in Silicon Slopes says, ‘We really need beginning coders, please send us beginning coders,’ then we’ll create a program that allows students to gain the certification in coding so they can immediately find work in Silicon Slopes doing coding,” he said. “This building will allow us to grow our popular programs because our existing space at CTEC is limited and we couldn’t expand those programs for more students to be accommodated.”
Once it’s decided what the curriculum will offer and how it will be offered, retrofitting the interior for specific program use may begin. Currently, some of the main building has walls while other sections are cubicles.
“I can see with the full kitchen, we may look at offering culinary arts here or their workout facility, I see it being used for a physical therapy program as it’s kind of already set up that way so that could work out great,” Hallenbeck said. “We’re needing to learn what our business and industry partners need. I’m excited about the auditorium. It’s one of the things I’m looking forward to the most because we’ve never really been able to pull groups of kids and industry partners together to do presentations. It will be awesome.”
Hallenbeck anticipates the new innovation center would replace the 42-yearold CTEC, which recently received a C- grade in its existing facility and was determined it would cost more to renovate than rebuild. The current CTEC campus covers 65,000 square feet in its five separate buildings on just seven acres.
It’s cost-cutting to purchase the 12-year-old eBay campus instead of building a new school, District officials say.
“The timing of the availability of the property coincides seamlessly with the region’s economic trends and the District’s long-range and strategic plans,” Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill said. “Furthermore, our innovative plan to retrofit eBay’s former offices into a school instead of paying for new construction will save millions in taxpayer money.”
The negotiated deal translates to $230 per square foot for the eBay building. By comparison, the cost of new construction and design in Utah is about $500 per square foot, Wilcox said.
“Roughly, it’s about half the cost,” he said, adding the cost doesn’t include refur-
bishments and upgrades. “We think they’d be fairly minimal at this point as the building is fairly new and is built to house educational programs—that’s why we were so attracted to it.”
With the eBay campus being across the street from Draper’s FrontRunner station and close to the I-15 freeway, the site may become a new permanent home for Life Skills Academy, Canyons’ vocational program for adults with disabilities. There is discussion about providing an employee health and wellness clinic and employee childcare center at the location.
Canyons Superintendent Rick Robins says the proposed innovation center’s educational vision will link students with teachers and professional mentors to solve real-world problems using the tools of the industry. An advisory panel of industry experts also will provide guidance on the center’s partnerships with businesses.
“The vision is to elevate all the programs that are preparing students for the workforce pipeline,” he said. “We see this center as the ultimate experience for students and to lift our mission of ensuring our students are truly ready for the demands of college and careers when they walk across the graduation stage.”
eBay issued a statement saying the company plans to stay in the Salt Lake Valley.
“eBay is happy to learn that the Canyons School District has approved the contract for the purchase of our Draper, Utah campus. As a global commerce leader, who continues to innovate for our community of buyers and sellers, we’re excited that the Draper site could become a hub of learning, designed to cultivate the tech leaders of the future. As to eBay’s intentions, we are committed to Salt Lake City and will continue to evaluate all available local options to ensure the best outcome for our people and eBay.”
With the $45-million lease revenue last spring, Canyons is in the process of updating one middle school and three high schools.
The $13-14 million updates to Eastmont Middle include installation of a new
roof, which is almost complete, Wilcox said. Updating the elevator will be next and a new gym floor and additional classrooms are on the schedule.
At Jordan High, plans are to build a fieldhouse, a black box theatre and a softball concession stand. Wilcox said bids should go out in October. Meanwhile crews are working on restroom upgrades and extending parking to the former Johanna’s restaurant site on State Street. Work at the school should come in between $21 to $23 million, he said.
Hillcrest High will get an expansion of the track lanes, which means tearing out
the bleachers on the visitor (east) side of the field. The football field also will receive new turf. The construction date has yet to be determined, but it should take about five months at an estimated $5 million, Wilcox said. By the end of September, Corner Canyon High should have a secure vestibule entrance and new baseball field turf. The softball field turf is expected to be complete by mid-October and the new soccer field and a field house are expected to break ground in November. Wilcox said cost for the projects is $13 million. l
At the Aug. 20 meeting, Canyons school board members voted 5-1 in favor of purchasing eBay’s regional headquarters for a new innovation center to open in fall 2026. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Protect yourself against West Nile virus with precautions
By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com
Lastmonth, the West Nile virus was found in western Salt Lake City along the border of the Draper and Riverton cities. Members of the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement and the South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District expect additional mosquito pools to test positive before the year is out.
“There will be a growing number of mosquitoes carrying the disease, so it is especially important that Utahns protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said Salt Lake County Health Department epidemiologist Andrea Price.
If a mosquito carrying the virus does visit your neighborhood and transmits the virus onto you, it is possible to experience no symptoms. However, if you’re the one in five people that does show symptoms, you’ll experience headaches, body aches, neck stiffness, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, tremors, convulsions and rashes. You may also experience fatigue and weakness, that can last a few weeks or even months.
Additionally, one in every 150 people who contract the West Nile virus may develop a neuroinvasive disease, which can result in long-term debilitating complications.
Last year, five out of the eight Utah residents to contract the virus ended up contracting the neuroinvasive form of the disease. One resulted in death.
Symptoms of the West Nile virus do not appeal for at least two days after the virus is contracted. Symptoms may appear up to 14 days after the infected mosquito bites.
There is no specific treatment for the West Nile virus nor are there vaccines. If contracted, the only thing to do is to treat symptoms. So it’s best to not contract the virus at all.
“There are not a lot of human cases yet, but it’s a worry,” said Cottonwood Heights Councilmember Matt Holton. “West Nile is coming within the States.”
To deter mosquitos, the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement members have shared a few suggestions for Utah residents. They recommend using an EPA-registered mosquito repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
If you are out and about when the sun isn’t shining, make sure to wear long sleeves and pants so the mosquitos can’t find exposed skin.
As mosquitos can travel over several miles, they tend to look for shady places to rest during the day. Residents are encouraged to continue cutting weeds and tall grasses short and making sure all windows are shut and/or screen tight.
If you have potential areas in your yard that might collect water, do make sure to drain that standing water daily. Mosquitos lay their eggs in stagnant water (which could accumulate in potted plants, pet dishes, buckets, old tires, even roof gutters!).
Everyone in the region is encouraged to take precautions against mosquito bites to avoid exposure against the virus. l
Health officials urge residents to take precautions to avoid contracting West Nile virus. (Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Heights)
When playing outside this summer, make sure to dump any stagnant water as to not attract mosquitos and their eggs. (Wag-a-lot Atlanta/Flickr)
Draper firefighters deploy to work in other western states for weeks
By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com
Thirty-three firefighters from nine Utah departments, including four from Draper, deployed to Oregon in response to a state-to-state request for help. According to the Utah Division of Emergency Management, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), Utah submitted an offer of resources and financial reimbursement considerations which Oregon accepted. The Utah crews left from West Valley City on the morning of July 21.
Draper Fire Chief Clint Smith said his crewmembers went in Draper-owned equipment to the basecamp in Spray, Oregon to help with the Lone Rock Fire. “They deploy in our apparatus because they need the apparatus and the personnel to help them fight or extinguish those fires. They went in an engine designed for wildland/urban interface, smaller and more agile than fire engines you’d see in our community.”
That initial crew was in Oregon for one week before going to California to help with the Park Fire. “The original crew of four was gone a total of two and a half weeks. We put four more people in a pickup truck, sent them to California, and they swapped out with those four that were there. Those four began a new, 14-day
work cycle,” Smith said.
Approximately one month after the initial deployment to Oregon, the second crew sent by Draper began their trip home from California on Aug. 23. But because it’s a busy fire season, there’s not much time to rest after they get home, especially during fire season. “They get at minimum a 24-hour rest cycle before they go back on shift for their regular duties here,” Smith said.
Once they return, fire departments including Draper’s have to analyze what might be needed in Utah versus what help they might offer to other states. “There’s still a long way to go this fire season. We’re only in August and we’ve had deployments out of state as late as December. We’ll take a minute to bring our crews home, to rehab equipment and give our people a rest, and then reevaluate,” Smith said.
Utah Fire Information said that as of August, for the 2024 season, the state has had 1,017 total fires with nearly 55,000 acres burned. Of those fires for the year to date, more than half (560) were caused by humans and the rest are attributed to natural causes.
While it’s a sacrifice to deploy crews to other states, there are payoffs beyond fi-
nancial reimbursement that come through EMAC. Smith said his crews have helped with an array of tasks, from direct fire attack to mop-up procedures and helping escort displaced or evacuated residents back into their homes. He said it gives Utah crews an opportunity “to gain experience and qualifications they can bring home to help in the protection of our own community.” There’s also the human aspect. “I’ve heard how grateful the people of that area of California are for them being there to assist…how thankful and gracious the residents have been. Our crews have worked extremely hard, but they’re grateful for the experience they have gained.”
Aug. 13 marked six years since Draper Fire Department lost one of their own, Matt Burchett, on a California deployment. Every year on that date, the department hosts a memorial event in his honor. “We do something each year to remember the sacrifice of Matt. When we have crews deployed over that same time frame, it always gives us an opportunity to recognize the danger that is inherent in this job, but we are committed to protecting life and property, and we do that in Matt’s honor,” Smith said. “That’s what Matt stood for and that’s what Matt would want us to continue to do.” l
aturday, Oct 12, 2 9:30 AM
L-R James McKeag and Parker Hansen deployed to western states with one of Draper’s Type 3 engines, a smaller and more agile apparatus designed for fighting fires in wildland/urban interface. (Courtesy Draper Fire Department)
Four months after purchasing property from CSD, city puts all 10 acres up for sale
In April, Draper City purchased 10.87 acres of property located at 12695 S. 1700 East from the Canyons School District (CSD). The district no longer needed the property for a school in that area because growth is predominantly on the west side. The city was considering creating a cemetery on five acres and selling the other five to recoup their investment.
The city paid $5.6 million for the property and the real estate agreement between the city and the CSD states that any profits the city gains from reselling the property will be split with the school district. Less than four months later, the city has put all 10 acres up for sale, leaving a site for a new cemetery uncertain.
“I recognize the need (for a cemetery), it’s an integral part of the culture, but I’m not 100% sure it’s a business we should be in. We need to pay for police, fire, all the stuff the living want. We have no money in our budget to create and operate a new cemetery. If a cemetery doesn’t pencil, I don’t think the city council is going to get hurt on the land if they have to sell it,” Draper Mayor Troy Walker said at the time the city purchased the land from the CSD.
State law states cities get first right of refusal to purchase surplus land from school districts for community purposes.
In August, the Salt Lake County Council voted to put a $507-million bond on the ballot for voters to decide on this November. Our jails are at capacity and urgently require expansion. The proposed public safety bond will enable us to consolidate two jails into one, add more beds, expand mental health treatment services, create a facility to support inmates transitioning back into the community, and build a Justice and Accountability Center.
Low-level offenders who continually cycle in and out of jail continue to place a considerable burden on taxpayers and our criminal justice system. Many of these individuals experience instability and struggle with underlying mental health issues and substance use disorders. Unfortunately, our current jail and criminal justice system are neither designed nor equipped to address these needs.
The goal of the Justice and Accountability Center (JAC) is to remove repeat offenders from
By Mimi Darley Dutton | m.dutton@mycityjournals.com
“When the school district came to the city and offered it for sale…the city wanted to control the zoning. We thought we’d purchase it, rezone it for half acre lots, and then sell it. The council wasn’t unanimous on the cemetery. They were undecided because they kept getting mixed responses from the community. Some people didn’t think the city should be in the business of doing a cemetery, and we wondered if it was going to be possible to sell the plots and do the whole thing. They (the council) thought ‘let’s put out a Request For Proposals’ (RFP)…and developers can put a cemetery there if they wish, or just homes,” said Assistant City Manager Kellie Challburg.
Since an RFP is a bidding process rather than a traditional real estate listing with an asking price, it's anybody’s guess what the purchase price might be, and an RFP doesn’t let potential buyers know what others are bidding. It’s also anybody’s guess as to whether the buyer/ developer will want to include a cemetery or not in the plan they submit to the city. “We’re looking for the best proposal that may include a cemetery or it may just be something we sell off and realize the profit,” Walker said. Recently, the council has indicated that if a cemetery does come to
At their Aug. 20 meeting, the Draper City Council voted unanimously to surplus all the property they’d purchased four months prior from the school district. Acting City Manager Mike Barker described this as “housekeeping,” a necessary step in selling the land before the city evaluates offers that come as a result of their Request For Proposals (RFP). “I think this is a good housekeeping item so we can get the appropriate use for this,” Councilmember Mike Green said. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)
fruition at the site, it would likely be privately run. RFPs for the property are due to the city Aug. 30.
One thing about the sale of the proper-
Salt Lake County Public Safety Bond
the streets and place them in a lower-security correctional facility where they will have access to outpatient mental health services and substance use treatment, job training, housing opportunities, and other vital services to help them get their lives back on track. The JAC aims to ensure these people receive targeted interventions at a cost that is much less than a high-security jail.
We believe the public safety bond reduces the number of offenders on the streets, keeps our neighborhoods safer, protects our businesses, and ultimately is the most fiscally conservative way to invest in public safety and improve quality of life. If voters approve this bond it would cost the average homeowner an additional $58.94 per year.
Luckily, Salt Lake County is one of only 29 counties in the United States with a AAA bond rating. Because of that the interest rate on these funds would be around 3.25% with an opportunity for us to refinance if rates go down.
No one wants to pay more in taxes and this was not an easy decision for county leaders to make. As we’ve looked at the best way to ensure your safety, protect your property, and best help those who are struggling, we felt this was necessary and we want you to weigh in. Not only is the most fiscally conservative way to handle this massive public safety issue, but it will give the best chance for those in the criminal justice system to get real help.
To learn more about this you can go to slco.org and you will be able to read about the bond.
ty is for certain. Per the original agreement with CSD, “Anything over purchase price we will split with them,” Challburg said. l
Aimee Winder Newton Salt Lake County Councilwoman| District 3
Budgeting
should be considered an art form. It’s part theater (acting like you can afford groceries), part digital interpretation (online shopping for best prices), part graffiti (throwing mustard at the wall when you receive a surprise doctor’s bill) and all illusion (where did the money go?).
My paycheck stretches like it’s on a taffy-pulling machine, folding over and over itself, almost to the point of transparency. When did the basic costs of living become a luxury?
While grocery shopping, my husband can’t stop comparing prices from 60 years ago. “When I was a young boy,” he said. “I could buy a loaf of bread for a nickel.”
“Were you Oliver Twist?” I asked. He ignored me and walked down the dairy aisle, ranting about the cost of eggs.
At the check stand, several items rang up for more than what was labeled on the shelf. I asked the unenthused cashier, “Did you raise prices while I was in line?”
He shrugged and continued packaging my groceries, smashing bananas, eggs and bread with my magnum of wine. Just kidding. You can’t buy wine at grocery stores in Utah.
Driving to work becomes a nail-biting thriller as I gauge how much gas is left and if it will last until the end of the month. I was filling up my car the other day and the
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
Show me the money
gas pump showed the person before me had purchased $5 worth of gas. I hope that 1.6 gallons is enough to get him to the bank he needs to rob.
Even my chai tea latte from Starbucks has incrementally increased from $4 to nearly $6. That’s bonkers. I don’t mind paying a bit more so employees make a livable wage, but last year, Starbucks’ net revenue was $30 billion.
Then I learned the new Starbucks CEO was given a $75 million stock award, a $1.6 million salary and a $10 million signing bonus. The only signing bonus I ever received was when I got a free pen for starting a savings account when I was 8.
Corporate profits have hit all-time highs. And those rising prices are never going to drop because then how can the Starbucks CEO afford $1,500 sneakers for his Pomeranian without squeezing the life out of consumers?
My husband said, “Then don’t go to
Starbucks.”
“Shut up,” I replied.
Housing costs are outrageous. Going to dinner and a movie requires a home equity line of credit. Tax increases nickel-and-dime us to death. Did you know Utah is one of only a few states that tax social security benefits? Thanks, Utah Legislators! It’s not like I want to purchase Prada paper clips or Balenciaga bookmarks. I don’t need a Rolls-Royce or a personal library, complete with a rolling ladder and a fireplace. (Okay. I actually need that). I just want to afford a night out, maybe a weekend getaway or an annual massage without sell-
ing blood plasma.
My grandparents grew up during the Depression. Decades later, they still saved drawers full of tin foil and rubber bands in case we ever needed a defense against mind control or had to make emergency bouncy balls. Maybe I can learn from their frugal behaviors.
So, we tighten our belts, pinch pennies, clip coupons and say, “We’re right on budget this month.” The moment those words leave our lips, the garbage disposal explodes, the fence blows over or the basement floods. Budgeting might not be an art form, but it’s definitely a comedy.
