Utah
Does Utah, the West need more passenger trains? These groups make the argument
An Amtrak Capitol Restricted Prepare passing via Gaithersburg, Maryland on March 22, 2020. Rail advocates in Utah and the West are pushing for states within the area to look into extra choices to develop passenger rail entry. (AJ Packer, Shutterstock)
Estimated learn time: 6-7 minutes
OGDEN — Relating to interstate passenger trains, Utah would not have a ton of choices.
Amtrak’s California Zephyr cuts via Provo and Salt Lake Metropolis, in addition to Helper and Inexperienced River on its approach from Chicago to San Francisco. The Rocky Mountaineer, in the meantime, provides a scenic journey from Moab to Denver.
There’s additionally Utah Transit Authority’s FrontRunner, which runs between Ogden and Provo, to assist make in-state connections.
Nonetheless, with the federal authorities opening up $66 billion in funds for passenger rail tasks via final yr’s infrastructure invoice, rail advocates in Utah and the West are pushing for states within the area to look into extra choices to develop passenger rail entry.
“Our final imaginative and prescient is for a seamless transportation community,” stated Dan Bilka, the co-founder of the nonprofit rail advocacy group All Aboard Northwest. “We do not see passenger rail as an end-all-be-all of transportation however as an important lacking center that basically makes the opposite modes of transportation work nicely and successfully.”
Bilka and Charlie Hamilton, the group’s different co-founder, got here to Utah on Tuesday for 3 occasions held in Provo, Ogden and Salt Lake Metropolis within the morning, afternoon and night on a tour throughout the area, arriving within the Beehive State after offering related displays in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. They then departed to Colorado and Wyoming forward of the Higher Northwest Passenger Rail Summit scheduled to be held in Billings, Montana.
A case for rail
Hamilton argues that passenger rail is smart as a result of near one-third of the U.S. inhabitants would not drive, both as a result of they’re too younger or too previous, they could have disabilities that stop them from driving, or they select to not journey for monetary or environmental causes. On the identical time, medical causes could stop individuals from flying if they’re in want of going someplace past native public transportation.
“This inhabitants is rising. We all know that we’ll at all times want vehicles however there undoubtedly should be alternate options,” he stated.
Passenger trains, he says, even have the flexibility to supply sturdy financial advantages for native communities. For example, the Huge Sky Rail Authority discovered final yr that restoring the North Coast Hiawatha Path passenger prepare route would lead to $271 million in annual financial advantages within the seven states, together with $40 million in Montana alone, in accordance with NBC Montana.
A latest research carried out by the Rail Passengers Affiliation additionally discovered related rail routes can present tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} in annual financial advantages.
These tasks are costly however could be cheaper than street tasks, too. In an interview with the Washington Publish final yr, the highest Virginia transportation official stated it will price about $12.5 billion so as to add a freeway lane in every course from Washington, D.C. to Fredericksburg, Virginia. A prepare various, however, got here with an estimated $3.7 billion price ticket, inflicting the state to reevaluate its future transportation plans.
Trains additionally typically produce fewer total emissions than vehicles or planes, in accordance with stories and research from the Affiliation of American Railroads, the European Setting Company and others.
There are some apparent constraints. For example, it is typically quicker to fly or drive. Google Maps estimates it takes about 15½ hours to journey by prepare from Salt Lake Metropolis to Sacramento, California, as in comparison with 9½ by automobile. It is an hour and 40 minutes by flight.
And with the present infrastructure the best way it’s in Utah, high-speed rail is probably going not anticipated anytime quickly.
“That is one thing we’re very a lot in help of nevertheless it’s very expansive and requires constructing just about all new infrastructure,” stated Mike Christensen, the president of the Utah Rail Passengers Affiliation. “Sadly, taking a look at routes coming from Salt Lake Metropolis, there simply aren’t sufficient inhabitants facilities shut sufficient to make it excessive on the checklist of nationwide high-speed priorities. … It’s going to most likely be 50 years till you see high-speed rail right here.”
Rebuilding a community
Increase commuter rail infrastructure not less than will get the thought of high-speed trains rolling, together with all the advantages of trains. But there are additionally not numerous passenger rail connections on the market, particularly within the West. All Aboard Northwest’s imaginative and prescient is an expanded community all through the area, utilizing present tracks.
“Up right here within the larger Northwest area, there is a large void however individuals truly reside on the market too,” Bilka stated. “We are saying it is excessive time that folks get on the map, and we see extra and higher companies all through our area.”
For Utah, this might imply routes as far south as Cedar Metropolis all the best way up north to Logan and into Idaho, including in connections to get Utahns to many different areas all through the area presently inconceivable by rail, in accordance with Christensen.
Bilka and Hamilton say passenger prepare development has gone from a longshot to doable via cash made accessible via the U.S. Division of Transportation, although communities and firms have to use to get the cash. Their tour via the area is aimed toward highlighting methods for cities and states to become involved.
“The truth that there’s that sort of cash that is on the desk for these tasks is an actual game-changer,” Hamilton stated. “We’re taking a look at it and saying the alternatives are a lot, a lot better than they ever have been.”
If we do not get our geese in a row and apply for that funding, then it is simply going to go to different states.
–Mike Christensen, president of the Utah Rail Passengers Affiliation
Representatives of Ogden attended the occasion at Union Station in Ogden on Tuesday afternoon due to town’s curiosity within the concept. The Utah Rail Passengers Affiliation, which is working to advocate for extra passenger rail connections inside Utah, helped coordinate the three Utah occasions.
Given Utah’s development and the Wasatch Entrance’s lack of area, Christensen stated he is observed a rising curiosity in trying to rail and different alternate options to assist cope with future transportation issues. However rail tasks are complicated sufficient that there’s a studying curve and it might require partnerships with different states.
With federal cash and advantages accessible, he is hoping that it’s going to get the state to look at the thought extra carefully. He estimates that an possibility increasing Utah’s community would price within the vary of $1 billion or extra, however that unknown can also be why he believes the state ought to not less than conduct an evaluation to pin down an precise price and feasibility.
One of many largest prices could be buying the trains for the system, which Christensen factors out is not like going to a automobile dealership. Prepare producers solely construct once they have an order in place — and that wait could be years. Hamilton notes that there is been a rising effort to make an change system inside states, which does assist ease a number of the availability and value issues.
However each teams agree that now could be the time to contemplate passenger rail earlier than the federal cash prepare leaves the station.
“If we do not get our geese in a row and apply for that funding, then it is simply going to go to different states,” Christensen stated. “So we’d as nicely seize onto these alternatives.”
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A second consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl, on Jan. 2, 2023, could not have ended any worse for the Utah football team.
The 35-21 defeat against Penn State was disappointing, but losing quarterback Cameron Rising to a severe knee injury in the third quarter was devastating. Rising tore the ACL, MCL, MPFL and meniscus in his knee and wound up missing the entire 2023 season, which led to a subpar year for the Utes.
Now back in action, Rising and the Utes are bringing high expectations into this season.
This summer, BuffZone will preview each of Colorado’s opponents for the 2024 season and in this installment we look at Utah, which will visit Boulder on Nov. 16.
“Cam did not miss one minute of spring ball in any way, shape, or form,” head coach Kyle Whittingham told reporters after the Utes’ spring game in April. “He was back to his old self.”
That’s great news for Utah and not-so-great news for the Big 12.
Like CU, Utah is making the jump from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 and the Utes already have lofty goals. This week, the Big 12 announced the preseason media poll, with Utah projected as the winner. The Utes are likely to be a top-20 team in the preseason polls.
The Pac-12 champs in 2021 and 2022, Utah still went 8-5 last year (5-4 Pac-12), even without Rising. The Utes also played the 2023 season without star tight end Brant Kuithe. Running back Micah Bernard missed the last 11 games of the regular season with an injury.
It was no surprise that Utah’s offense dipped to 23.2 points per game last year, down from 38.6 in 2022.
Rising, Kuithe and Bernard are all back, though, and the Utes reloaded on the line and at receiver. Most notably, former Arizona star receiver Dorian Singer is in Salt Lake City after a down season at USC.
It all starts with Rising, though. He was the spark to Utah’s back-to-back Pac-12 title teams and he’s the unquestioned leader as the Utes join the Big 12.
“Feeling strong,” Rising said after the spring game. “(I have) been accruing a lot of reps and it’s good to be out there with the guys making plays and watching them go.
“We’ve been throwing the ball as much as we can, just trying to get out there and get that chemistry.”
While Rising should help the offense take a leap forward, the defense looks to be as good as usual. A big reason why Utah still won eight games last year is that the defense held opponents to only 19.3 points per game (tied for 18th nationally).
Utah lost some key players from last year’s defense, most notably leading pass rusher Jonah Elliss, who was a third-round pick of the Denver Broncos in April. Safeties Cole Bishop (Buffalo Bills) and Sione Vaki (Detroit Lions) were also drafted.
Eight players who started at least five games are back for the Utes, however, six of them from the front seven.
Utah will need to find a replacement for Elliss (12 sacks), but ends Van Fillinger and Connor O’Toole have experience and could lead that charge. There will be changes at safety, too, but Tao Johnson, last year’s starting nickel, had a good spring after moving to the back of the defense.
Whittingham turned Utah into one of the best teams in the Pac-12, with four conference title game appearances from 2018-23 and there’s no reason to believe the Utes won’t be one of the better teams in the Big 12 this season.
Utah Utes
Head coach: Kyle Whittingham, 20th season (162-79)
2023 season: 8-5, 5-4 Pac-12; lost to Northwestern in Las Vegas Bowl
Series with CU: Utah leads 34-32-3
The Game
Who: Utah Utes at Colorado Buffaloes
When: Saturday, Nov. 16, time TBA
Where: Folsom Field in Boulder
5 Guys to Watch
RB Micah Bernard: A sixth-year senior, he’s played offense and defense in his career. Although he’s never been the full-time starter, he has rushed for 1,208 yards and seven touchdowns in his career, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He also has 69 receptions for 620 yards and three scores.
TE Brant Kuithe: A seventh-year senior, he’s one of the best tight ends in the country when healthy, but he’s missed Utah’s last 23 games due to injuries. He was second-team All-Pac-12 three years in a row (2019-21) and has 148 career catches for 1,882 yards and 16 touchdowns.
LB Karene Reid: One of the top returning linebackers in the conference, Reid was second-team All-Pac-12 last year. He finished second on the team with 67 tackles, while also adding two tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups. He was first-team All-Pac-12 in 2022.
QB Cameron Rising: The 25-year-old, seventh-year senior is back after missing last year with an injury. A starter in 24 straight games from 2021-22, he threw for a total of 5,527 yards and 46 touchdowns (with only 13 interceptions) and rushed for 964 yards and 12 touchdowns in those two seasons.
DL Junior Tafuna: A preseason All-Big 12 selection, he had 17 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks last year. He was second-team All-Pac-12 three times and was the Pac-12 defensive freshman of the year in 2021.
Good to know
• Between Dorian Singer (USC) and Damien Alford (Syracuse), Utah added a load of experience at receiver. That duo has a combined 175 catches for 2,597 yards in college. Singer had just 289 yards last year at USC, but was an 1,100-yard receiver at Arizona in 2022. Alford caught 33 passes for 610 yards last year at Syracuse.
• Star linebacker Levani Damuni is expected to miss all or most of the season with a leg injury. He led the Utes with 87 tackles last season.
• In addition to Bernard, Utah returns last year’s second-leading rusher, Jaylon Glover, who had 562 yards and two touchdowns on 137 attempts. The Utes also added Idaho transfer Anthony Woods, who rushed for 1,155 yards and 16 TDs last year and earned first-team All-Big Sky honors.
• On Monday, Utah announced that defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley will be Whittingham’s successor when Whittingham, 65, decides to retire. Scalley, who was born in Salt Lake City and played for the Utes from 2001-04, has been on the staff since 2006. He’s going into his ninth season as coordinator.
• Punter Jack Bouwmeester was first-team All-Pac-12 as a sophomore last year. He averaged 45.5 yards per punt and landed 20 of his 55 kicks inside the opponents’ 2-yard line.
• Kicker Cole Becker, who played at CU from 2021-22, was 15-for-18 on field goals last year with the Utes, including a long of 51 yards. He missed the first three field goal attempts of his career, but has gone 40-of-48 (83.3%) since then, as well as 73-of-74 on extra points.
Portal movement
Utah lost 25 players to the transfer portal, but most of them were backups. The top two quarterbacks from last year – Bryson Barnes (Utah State) and Nate Johnson (Vanderbilt) – both left, but with Rising back that shouldn’t matter. The Utes did lose some starters, though, including leading rusher Ja’Quinden Jackson (Arkansas). Starting center Kolinu’u Faaiu (Texas A&M), starting cornerback JaTravis Broughton (TCU), as well as part-time starting receiver Mikey Matthews (California) also left. Of the 12 players coming in, receivers Dorian Singer (USC) and Damien Alford (Syracuse) and cornerback Kenan Johnson (Georgia Tech) are headliners. Receiver Taeshaun Lyons (Washington), tight end Carsen Ryan (UCLA) and running back Anthony Woods (Idaho) should also make some noise. Defensively, edge Paul Fitzgerald (Utah State), cornerback Cameron Calhoun (Michigan) and safety Alaka’i Gilman (Stanford) could all be impactful. Former Washington quarterback Sam Huard (Cal Poly) could be a nice addition, as well.
Utah
“Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center” Coming to Utah Summer 2025, Establishing the First-Ever Home Facility for a Professional Pickleball Team – OnFocus
“Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center” Coming to Utah Summer 2025, Establishing the First-Ever Home Facility for a Professional Pickleball Team
Facility will be home to Utah’s Major League Pickleball team and will serve as a high-end pickleball club for players of all levels.
Salt Lake City, Utah–April 12, 2024 –The Utah Black Diamonds, a Premier Level team within Major League Pickleball, have partnered with GCTM Investments to bring a $25 million state-of-the-art pickleball center to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. This marks the first high-performance facility that will be the dedicated home base of a professional pickleball team. The center, powered by The Picklr, who have a strong track record and expertise for designing premium indoor facilities, will also serve as a high-end club for pickleball players of all levels.
The Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center, which will be located in the city of South Jordan, just south of Salt Lake City off of I-15, will feature:
- 36 pickleball courts (30 indoor and 6 outdoor)
- A 1,500-seat Championship Court with VIP Box Seating
- Two Grandstand Courts with 500 seats apiece
- A full gym and recovery center with cold plunges, steam rooms, saunas and more
- A café, bar, and social centers
- A Pickleball Central Pro Shop
“This is a seminal moment in pickleball – for both the professional and amateur levels – to be able to construct and operate the first home base dedicated to high-performance pickleball training and competition,” said Connor Pardoe, Owner of the Utah Black Diamonds and Founder and CEO of the Professional Pickleball Association. “The Utah Black Diamonds are leading the charge in dedicating time and resources to grow the sport and advance the level of play for its professionals, and we cannot be more excited to bring this one-of-a-kind facility to life.”
Already known as the purveyor of North America’s best indoor pickleball facilities, The Picklr will partner with The Utah Black Diamonds to operate the Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center. Programming for the 2,500 members of all ages and levels will include open play, clinics, tournaments, league play, ladders, and more. Members will be able to access the professional-style courts, and all of the club’s perks and amenities with unlimited pickleball play for one price, just like the 300+ Picklr locations being constructed across the country.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Utah Black Diamonds to launch this pioneering facility, which represents a significant milestone not just for professional pickleball, but for enthusiasts at every level. The Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center will set a new standard for professional pickleball with its state-of-the-art design and comprehensive amenities that cater to both the casual player and the professional athlete,” said Jorge Barragan, CEO and Co-Founder of The Picklr. “At The Picklr, we are dedicated to growing the sport of pickleball by providing unparalleled access and exceptional experiences. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to enhancing the pickleball community, offering an all-encompassing hub for training, competition, and enjoyment of the game.”
Construction of the Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center is set to begin in October 2024 and has a planned completion date in 2025. See more of the facility here.
ABOUT THE UTAH BLACK DIAMONDS:
The Utah Black Diamonds are a Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville) Premier Level team owned by the Pardoe Family. The roster comprises some of the world’s best pickleball athletes, including Utah’s own Tyler Loong, Callie Jo Smith, Alix Truong, and French sensation Jay Devilliers. MLP by Margaritaville is the preeminent team-based professional pickleball league, featuring over 100 of the best athletes across 24 teams, a unique coed format, easy-to-understand scoring, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport.
ABOUT THE PICKLR:
At The Picklr, pickleball is more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle that fosters community, competition, and fun. With more than 250 state-of-the-art clubs, professional coaching, and a vibrant atmosphere, The Picklr offers an unparalleled pickleball experience for players of all skill levels. All locations offer professional-grade outdoor surfacing, best-in-class technology, and access to free leagues, tournaments, and clinics. Follow The Picklr on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok for news on locations and tournaments, or visit https://thepicklr.com/franchise/to learn more about owning a franchise.
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2023-24 Area Conference Schedules: Conference and Team Links
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