Monday, June 1, 2009

Memorial Day in Utah - part 1

For Memorial Day we had the opportunity to travel to Utah and be with family. Once we arrived in Salt Lake we did something we've never done before. Though we've been in the conference center dozens of times for conference, we've never taken an "official tour" of the building! But we did the Friday before Memorial Day. Here are some things we learned:
· It was dedicated in April 2000 (the whole Turner family was there!)
· It was finished in 3 years because there were as many as 1,000 workers at any one time working on the project
· From the podium to the back of the balcony is 130 yards or more than a football field
· There are no obstructed views in the conference center. The ceiling contains a beam made in Belgium that weighs 650 tons and smaller beams radiate out from it to help hold up the ceiling.
· Several 10 foot square skylights help light the center during the day
· Capacity is 21,000 and the center has 1,400,000 square feet
· Garden on the top of the center is 6 acres; the flowers and trees are planted in peat moss which is much lighter than dirt
· The heating and cooling system is so massive that it is located in a building 2 miles from the center

Marcie T crossing the street above the conference center - they had orange flags on both sides to help us get across without incident!














A view from the side of the center towards the Salt Lake Temple.













The fountain starts here on the roof and run down the side of the building, making a waterfall.













On the roof - 6 acres of trees and flowers and flowing water.












View from the top of the center towards the temple.










A great piece of art work depicting the stoning of Stephen in the book of Acts.



















Glasswork depicting Lehi's dream of the Tree of Life.

1 comment:

Megan and Jeremy said...

I love that picture of Stephen-I think that one is in the book you just sent us. So glad you were able to have the tour! Good memories back in April 2000!!!