By NICOLE LARSON
The Salt Lake Organizing Committee has approved Seven Peaks as an Olympic hockey site for the 2002 Olympics. The 2,500-seat arena will be expanded to seat 8,500.
County Commissioner Jerry Grover said the Ice Sheet Authority is expected to approve the contract today.
The expanded arena is estimated to be a $10 million venue. In the contract, the Ice Sheet Authority and Provo City will contribute $2 million, as will Utah County. The remaining bill will be covered by the SLOC, which will pay $5.5 million, and Seven Peaks, which will contribute $1 million.
Grover said negotiations have been in the works for nearly eight months. Although he said he is optimistic the deal will be closed today, he said anything can change.
The venue is expected to host the Olympic women hockey events, but Grover said the contract leaves an open invitation for any ice sheet event.
