Pioneer Stadium renaming ceremony set for Tuesday

By Rob Nielsen | Standard-Examiner – July 13, 2024

OGDEN — Rodeo fans and the Ogden community are invited to kick off their Pioneer Days festivities by helping mark a new era for a longtime staple of the annual celebration.

On Tuesday, July 16, at 6 p.m., a renaming ceremony will be held formally changing the name of Pioneer Stadium to Spencer Fox Eccles Pioneer Stadium, according to a press release from the Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation. In addition to the renaming ceremony, a new grand arch will be unveiled as part of the festivities.

“Because of his commitment to Ogden, decades of generous support, and unwavering love of Ogden Pioneer Days, we’re honored to recognize Spence,” Alan Hall, chairman of the Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation, said in Thursday’s release. “Forever and henceforth, the stadium will be known as the Spencer Fox Eccles Pioneer Stadium. Spence is an Ogden boy and certainly a favorite son. We are extremely grateful for his support along with the various Eccles Foundations.”

Tuesday’s renaming ceremony comes on the heels of a $4 million renovation to the 90-year-old stadium. In May, the Standard-Examiner reported that upgrades to the stadium will include:

• Replacements to the east- and west-end bucking chutes.
• A new sound system.
• The addition of more than 1,000 seats to the south grandstand as well as the removal of old seating that will be replaced with numbered bench seats with backs. Paired with new box seating that will be constructed on the south side, this will bring the total stadium capacity to 10,441.
• The construction of permanent office space and a “ticket operation center.”
• A new entrance on the west side.
• Resurfaced asphalt around the stadium.
• Improvements to underground water infrastructure courtesy of Ogden’s Public Works Department.

The 2024 Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo is set for July 19-24. For more information on the rodeo, the stadium and other Pioneer Days events, visit https://www.ogdenpioneerdays.com/.