Draper Continues Work on a Legacy for the Ages

April 2008

Wondrous things happen in a community when volunteers and city officials come together, united in a great purpose. We have seen this happen in our community with the forward progress on our very own arts venue. The all volunteer Magic on the Mountain Committee has worked with Draper City Council and Staff for more than 4 years on bringing the Draper Amphitheater to fruition. Both the volunteers and Draper City recognize the importance of the arts in a community.

In 1861, during a public address in Salt Lake City, Brigham Young stated, "If I were placed on a cannibal island and given the task of civilizing its people, I should straightway build a theatre for the purpose." That is exactly what Brigham Young did. Before the completion of the much anticipated Temple or Tabernacle that have become landmarks in Salt Lake City, Mr. Young completed the Salt Lake Theatre. Draper isnÕt a cannibal island, but it is a city with diverse people and cultures living within its boarders. The arts are a way to bring unity to a community as well as a higher standard of life.

In a recent city council meeting Mayor Darrell Smith commented that there is more to a city than just economic development. There needs to be amenities such as the arts available to its citizens so that businesses will want to locate here. He also commented that the arts can result in economic development themselves.

Over the last 4 years, much research has been done to determine the best use of the land that the city owns in the South Mountain area. As budget numbers have fluctuated, the scope of the project was reevaluated to ensure that the best use of the available resources was considered. As citizens of Draper, you have seen the various results of that ongoing research and refining. In March of this year, the city council voted to move forward with the Outdoor Amphitheater project. City Staff is working with members from the Magic on the Mountain Committee, the Arts council, and other concerned citizens in refining the design to work within the budget of 1.2 million that the city has allocated for this project.

The Magic on the Mountain committee is very excited to see this project move forward and to begin the building of their dream for Draper. Ronald Walker, in the Utah History Encyclopedia said, ÒPublic buildings often speak beyond themselves, suggesting the aspirations and activities of the people who occupied them.Ó The dream of the Magic on the Mountain committee is to create a gathering place, a place where arts are brought to the community and where the community is brought to the arts. They are still actively fundraising and will continue to bring in funds to add amenities to the site. To help add amenities to this project or to become involved with the fundraising efforts, visit www.magiconthemountain.com .

For more information about news or events, please contact Terri Purles at 801-571-9507 or 801-910-8888.

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