Breaking Ground on “The Arena”: West Jordan’s Newest Championship Disc Golf Course
- Scott Belchak
- Apr 11
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 11
April 10, 2025 marked a milestone for disc golf in Utah: the official groundbreaking of The Arena, a 50-acre championship disc golf course under construction in West Jordan’s Sycamores Open Space. Designed to be the longest and most dynamic course in the state, while providing challenging options for all skill levels, The Arena reflects a growing momentum behind disc golf as a powerful tool for recreation, education, and community development.
The project was made possible through close collaboration between the City of West Jordan, ElevateUT Disc Golf, and JDS Construction, along with critical support from the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) program. With a $200,000 investment from UORG, this course is a bold step forward for open space activation and the future of high-quality disc golf infrastructure in Utah.
From Concept to Construction: How The Arena Took Shape
This project began more than two years ago with a simple idea: What if one of the most underutilized spaces in West Jordan could become something remarkable?
ElevateUT Disc Golf partnered with West Jordan’s public services team to explore the possibilities at the Sycamores Open Space — a 50-acre expanse of grassland and ridge offering terrain unlike anything currently available in the region. With few options for disc golfers on the west side of Salt Lake County and growing demand for quality play, the case was clear: West Jordan was ready for a next-level course.
In early 2024, ElevateUT and the City of West Jordan submitted a proposal to the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG), outlining a vision for a championship-caliber disc golf facility that would elevate outdoor recreation in the state. UORG saw the potential and stepped up with a $200,000 investment to bring that vision to life.
Strong Civic Leadership Made It Possible
The project received immediate support from West Jordan’s leadership — including Mayor Dirk Burton, a longtime advocate for outdoor recreation:
“I am thrilled to have this Disc Golf Course [Tetons Disc Golf Course] in West Jordan. The residents have expressed their appreciation of having it close by. We hope to add another as it is such a popular sport.”— Mayor Dirk Burton, City of West Jordan
That support, combined with sustained community enthusiasm, made this project more than just possible — it made it a priority. West Jordan’s investment and planning have positioned the city as a leader in modern recreational infrastructure.
Backed by the Disc Golf Community — and the Nation
The Arena isn’t just a local course — it’s part of a much broader movement to bring competitive disc golf infrastructure to Utah. As part of the grant application process, ElevateUT gathered powerful letters of support from key stakeholders across the sport.
“Continued development and upgrades to local disc golf courses will strengthen any future bids from Salt Lake City.”— Doug Bjerkaas, Executive Director, PDGA
“Investing in the [The Arena] project goes beyond just expanding our sports facilities; it's about seizing an opportunity to place Salt Lake County on the global map as a premier destination for disc golf and other major sporting events.”— Clay Partain, Executive Director, Sports Salt Lake
Organizations like Sports Salt Lake have played a key role in advancing new course development across the region — and their support underscores the regional and national significance of a course like The Arena.
JDS Construction: Turning Vision into Reality
After a public Request for Proposal (RFP) process, JDS Construction was selected to design and build The Arena. With a proven track record in park development and a design team that includes course designer Philip Romney, after a very competitive bid process that saw 11 firms vying for the job, JDS stood out as the ideal partner to bring the project to life.
JDS has worked closely with ElevateUT to ensure that the course blends technical excellence with playability, sustainability, and beauty. Their team has also allocated funds for a shade structure between holes 12 and 13 — the course’s scenic high point and signature stretch with stunning views of the Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Front.
Course Design: Three Configurations, One Unified Experience
Philip Romney has designed The Arena with three distinct configurations to support players of all skill levels:
Red Layout – Beginner-friendly, 18 holes, 5,000' par 60
Blue Layout – Advanced layout, 8,500' par 64,
Gold Layout – Championship-level, 9,500' par 62 — the longest course in Utah
The Gold layout features one par five and six par fours, offering a championship-level challenge. The Blue layout ramps things up with two par fives and seven par fours, demanding long throws and strategic play. Even the beginner-friendly Red layout includes one par five and six par fours, matching the Gold in variety but with shorter tee pads and basket placements that make it accessible and fun for new players.
Despite minimal natural shade and vegetation, the course offers an engaging and rewarding experience through its thoughtful design. Every hole incorporates elevation changes, and many provide commanding views of the Oquirrh and Wasatch mountains.
Sustainability, Education, and Local Connection
Each hole will be themed around a native or migratory bird species, with signage designed to teach players about Utah’s diverse wildlife.
To preserve the open space, construction will be low-impact — with xeriscaping, mulched trails, and drought-tolerant native plantings reinforcing a long-term vision of sustainability and minimal maintenance.
Groundbreaking: The Beginning of Something Big
On April 10, 2025, the project officially broke ground. Staff from ElevateUT and JDS Construction gathered on-site to celebrate the moment.
Danny Dupaix of Equipment Share generously provided lunch for attendees, and the vibe on-site was pure energy — after years of effort, shovels finally hit the ground.
What’s Next?
Construction is moving forward in phases:
Pathing comes first – The full network of walking paths will be constructed throughout the site.
Tee pads and fairway work – Once paths are in, the team will begin forming tee pads, leveling greens, and prepping fairways.
Basket installation comes last – Once the course is fully shaped and finalized, baskets will go in and the course will be ready to play.
If all goes according to schedule, The Arena will open to the public in early July 2025.
Thank You
This project would not be possible without the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant — whose $200,000 investment in The Arena is a bold endorsement of disc golf’s future in Utah. Their belief in high-quality, sustainable, community-forward courses made this project possible.
We’re grateful to the City of West Jordan, JDS Construction, the PDGA, Sports Salt Lake, and the local disc golf community for their continued support and vision.
The Arena will soon become a new standard for disc golf in the state — and a lasting asset for Utah’s outdoor recreation landscape.
Let’s elevate disc golf in Utah — together. 🥏
Comments