Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., host site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, is preparing for this highly visible, worldwide event with construction projects necessary for providing housing for athletes and accommodations for spectators. The University of Utah has been selected as the locality for the opening ceremonies and Olympic Village housing. Founded in 1847, the university specializes in medical research, law, engineering and business. It has a student body of approximately 20,000.
A focal point of new construction at the University of Utah is the recently completed expansion of Rice Stadium from 35,000 to 45,000 seats. The second major project is the construction of housing adjacent to the present campus towers. To provide transportation for athletes, the university will fabricate a new rail system, which will extend from the campus to the Olympic competitive areas. A new substation has been added to the two that already exist on the campus to accommodate the expected increase in load. This new substation also will serve a newly added cancer research laboratory.
