A once-overlooked military building nestled along the banks of Little Cottonwood Creek has been given a new lease on life. Murray City is preparing to unveil its latest civic project—the transformation of the former Utah Army National Guard Armory (246 E. Myrtle Ave.) into a state-of-the-art community reception center.

Dubbed the Murray Park Armory Events Center, the building is scheduled to open this May, with a grand opening ceremony set for June 2 at 9:30 a.m. and a public open house on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Murray City Chief Administrative Officer Doug Hill explained the project’s origins and significance. “Salt Lake County acquired the property from the Utah Army National Guard after they moved to Draper. The city acquired the building and property in 2009 from Salt Lake County,” Hill said. “Because the property was adjacent to Murray Park and was an eyesore, the city hoped to clean it up and make it part of Murray Park.”

Inspired by similar facilities across the Salt Lake Valley—such as Memorial House in Salt Lake City and the Old Dome Meeting Hall in Riverton—Murray leaders envisioned a vibrant indoor gathering space to serve a growing need within the community. “There were few places in Murray for indoor community gatherings,” Hill said. “These facilities became the inspiration for the project.”

Designed to host up to 300 guests, the new armory will serve as a venue for weddings, reunions, corporate events and other social occasions. Hill emphasized that it fills a gap in the city’s recreational offerings: “The 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan sets forth visions and goals for the city. These include preserving and repurposing historic resources that contribute to Murray City’s sense of place.”

Yet repurposing the 1949 military structure wasn’t without challenges. “Because the building was historically used as a motor vehicle maintenance facility, contaminants in the soil were encountered and had to be properly disposed of,” Hill noted. In addition, the original construction didn’t meet modern seismic and building codes, necessitating substantial structural upgrades.

The renovation is fully funded through park impact fees—money collected from developers to help fund public amenities. No additional partnerships or grants were used.

Despite its modest origins, the revamped armory is expected to stand out among local event spaces. “Aside from being a historic structure, its location along Little Cottonwood Creek in Murray Park makes it unique,” Hill said. “The large, glass windows open up to the outside to enhance the experience on good weather days. The outdoor courtyard with stage and fireplace is also unique.”

Though most of the building’s interior has been updated with modern amenities, the historic brick exterior and original shape have been preserved. The city does not currently have interpretive materials inside the building detailing its military past, but Hill emphasized the integrity of its outward appearance remains intact.

Reservations for events will open on Wednesday, April 2, with bookings available starting June 6. They can be made up to a year in advance, either online at mcreg.activityreg.com or in-person at the city’s Parks and Recreation Office.

As for environmental concerns, Hill acknowledged the site’s proximity to Little Cottonwood Creek, which has flooded the surrounding area in the past. However, “It is not expected to impact the building’s use in the future,” he said.

The city is taking a long-term view in evaluating the armory’s impact. “Measurements of success include number of reservations, revenue generated through reservations, economic development impacts, beautification of the area, and having a place for large community gatherings indoors,” Hill said.

While no expansion plans are currently in place, city staff will oversee regular maintenance of the building and surrounding grounds.

Ultimately, city officials hope the project will contribute not only to community engagement but also to economic vitality. “It is expected that many citizens in and outside of Salt Lake County will visit the Murray Armory Event Center to attend events,” Hill said. “Such visits will improve Murray’s economic well-being, quality of life and increase city revenue.” λ