News Flash

After years of planning and months of public engagement and meetings, the Ogden City Council voted on January 10^th to approve moving forward on the two bonding proposals to finance the downtown WonderBlock Development, the associated parking structures, and implementation of the Downtown Paid Parking Management System. The WonderBlock and Parking initiatives support the city’s Make Ogden Downtown Master Plan, which was adopted in 2020, establishing a 25-year vision to guide growth and development in downtown Ogden. 

WonderBlock concept rendering -- Ogden City Community & Economic Development

During the City Council meeting, Council Member Marcia White, who voted to support both bond issues, stated: “My philosophy is this – we need economic development, we need economic opportunity. The sort of tax revenue proponents say the WonderBlock plans will generate can help the city fund other initiatives – pay hikes for police, plans to rebuild the Marshall White Center, the proposal to overhaul Union Station.” 

To be located along 26^th Street between Grant and Lincoln Avenues on the empty 5.9-acre site previously occupied by the former Hostess production plant, the WonderBlock development will be located in the heart of Downtown Ogden – connected directly to Historic 25^th Street. The mixed-use project will feature a combination of residential dwellings, retail, offices, grocery, food and beverage, as well as hospitality. 

Some residents who spoke at the meeting expressed concerns about how large or ambitious the projects were, feelings about the decision process moving too fast, and suggestions that the city should delay moving forward until it appeared the situation with the overall economy was more certain. Others, including local business owners and organization leaders, spoke in support of the development activities and the impressive levels of previous public engagement that had informed the development process.

“I believe we have here an opportunity for a prosperous community and prosperous business,” stated Chuck Leonhardt, president and CEO of the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce. Leonhardt also said, “It does take a lot of guts and it takes a lot of planning – as well as a lot of fortitude. It takes all of that to make hard decisions. I stand before you today as a voice in our business community in support of this project, whole heartedly. We’ve all been brought along, the business community, throughout this entire process in a very succinct and inclusive way. We have done the homework to get here. Now, it’s the time for action. Our business community wants this as a whole and we’re ready for that action to take place – so let’s do it.”     

Kym Buttschardt, owner of Roosters Brewing Company, encouraged the City Council to support the paid parking plan and WonderBlock development during the meeting, stating “This whole thing has been going on since March 2019. I am a small business owner here who absolutely supports paid parking. Is it going to be tough during the transition? Yes, (however) we are Ogden and people want to be here. This is a community of choice and they want to come downtown, whether they come on public transportation or whether they park. Our downtown business needs paid parking. For years we’ve been going to meetings and talking, looking at the Make Ogden plan. The BDO (Business Depot Ogden development) was an episodic event. The Junction (development) was an episodic event. This (WonderBlock) is an episodic event, a generational event. You have smart staff; you have hired amazing professionals; and I encourage you to take bold action and move forward to get this next episodic event started. There are many small businesses who do support this.”  

“Studies have indicated, and results show that economic development matters and makes a difference to visitor’s decision making,” stated Sara Toliver, president and CEO of Visit Ogden. “The vibrance that economic opportunity creates impacts the quality of life for the residents in our community through its investment and the resulting sense of place, and opportunity to work, live and play,” said Toliver.  

“We’ve been part of this Make Ogden plan and this WonderBlock project for a long time – several years,” stated Kim Bowsher, Executive Director for Ogden Downtown Alliance. “Every single time they (Ogden Community and Economic Development and the developer, J. Fisher Companies) have come to our office or to a public meeting, they have remembered … people’s names and their personal stories … and that (their input/perspective) has been incorporated into the plan. The level of communication … I think is remarkable,” said Bowsher. “I also think the scale of the project that is being discussed is necessary for what’s happening here. And just to speak to the need, it’s definitely there, … so I am in favor of this project.” 

Relative to the financial details required to support the development of WonderBlock, the city is planning to enter into a joint venture, public/private partnership with Utah-based developer, J. Fisher Companies to build and operate new development.  J. Fisher Companies will invest $124 million, and the city will contribute $64 million to $75 million. For its portion, the city expects to utilize the incremental taxes generated by the new development (Tax Increment Financing or TIF) and lease revenues from previous investments at Business Depot Ogden to pay the annual bond payments for the project. 

The city also plans to finance and build two public parking structures at the WonderBlock site that it will independently own and operate to support the new development and adjacent downtown parking needs, as well as fund the costs associated with implementing a paid parking system downtown, at a cost of $53.5 million to $85 million. The city will satisfy the associated annual bond payments via revenues generated by the downtown paid parking system. 

For the city’s funding requirements associated with both the WonderBlock and the parking project investments, no property or sales tax increases are required (no impact/increases for citizens), as funding will come from the taxes generated by the project, lease revenue returns from previous city investments, and parking user fees paid by visitors to downtown.

In follow-up comments regarding the City Council’s positive decision to support the new development projects, Mayor Mike Caldwell said, “I’m obviously really happy with it. This will set a positive tone for our downtown. It doubles down on the support of our commercial downtown district. Ogden is a community with a rich history of innovation, which has driven our economic growth and shaped our vibrant downtown. With projects like WonderBlock, we strive to continue building upon this legacy, with the goal of increasing economic opportunity and further enhancing the quality of life in our community.”

WonderBlock and other downtown development projects are vital to Ogden City’s broader economic development strategy, including current efforts to further strengthen the local defense industry ecosystem. “There is an urgent and growing need for technology innovation that supports our national defense,” explains Sara Meess, Business Development Division Manager for Ogden City. “A successful ecosystem requires places that support and attract the businesses and talent producing innovative technology. With close proximity to Hill Air Force Base and a growing number of defense technology companies, Ogden’s historic and vibrant downtown provides an ideal environment for innovation. However, additional office space and housing options are still needed, along with gathering spaces that foster creative collisions. As a mixed-use project woven into the heart of downtown Ogden, WonderBlock represents an important addition to our city’s capacity to support the defense ecosystem. As a place where ideas and people come together, WonderBlock will support new economic opportunities for the benefit of our community,” said Meess.

Moving forward, the City Council will consider the details of the operating agreement with the developer and the logistics related to the issuance of bonds – which will likely take several months to complete. Once those details are addressed, the first phase of work, which would include site preparation and construction of one of the two proposed parking garages, could begin as early as this fall. The first two phases of the WonderBlock development could be complete within two to three years, and it is expected that the downtown parking system would be implemented over a period of three to five years.

More Information

The Make Ogden Downtown Master Plan is available for review at www.MakeOgden.com .   

Details regarding the WonderBlock development is available at www.ogdencity.com/WonderBlock.

Information about the proposed downtown Paid Parking Management System is available at www.ogdencity.com/GoParkOgden. 

Each webpage also provides a feedback link to allow for comments and questions to be communicated. Additionally, Ogden City Community and Economic Development can be contacted via email or via phone at 801-629-8910. 

Ogden City’s Business Information Center (BIC) is once again offering loans to help businesses stabilize and grow, particularly those still impacted by Covid 19. Funding is available now with loans offered up to $90,000 and Prime Rate plus 3-6%. Reduced rates and deferred payments are available for those businesses still recovering from the pandemic. Loan applications are being accepted through January 31, 2023.

The BIC provides business resources, capital opportunities, technical assistance, and business development counseling to entrepreneurs looking to start up or grow a business. You can find out more about the BIC and apply for the loan programs here or call 801-629-8613.

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Ogden City Council elected Council Member Richard Hyer as the Council Chair and Council Member Dave Graf as the Council Vice Chair for the 2026 calendar year.

Chair Hyer, the representative of District 2, is entering his 15th year of service on the City Council. He previously served as Chair in 2014, 2015, and 2018, and as Vice Chair in 2017 and 2025.

“All of the voices in our city should be heard,” he said. “It will be my intention as the Chair to make sure that any Council initiative gets the light of day and a chance for a good vetting.”

Vice Chair Graf is in his first term as a member of the Ogden City Council, having served since he took his seat representing District 4 in 2024.

“I appreciate the opportunity to play this role,” Vice Chair Graf said. “This will be a learning opportunity for me and an opportunity to serve this Council both as a whole and as individuals.”

Chair Hyer and Vice Chair Graf were serving in their respective roles in an interim status to begin the year. Per the City Council Rules and Norms, the election of Council Leadership takes place during the first meeting of February.

The unified development code has been completely drafted!  The consultant team, Logan Simpson and Ogden’s planning staff have been thoroughly reviewing the entire draft, combing through each chapter and preparing it for the final open house.  The final open house will be held on February 25, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Union Station (Browning Theater) The community will have the opportunity to review the entire unified development code.  Each portion of the development code will be highlighted.  The community will be able to see firsthand all of the improvements that have been made to the development codes.  Come see for yourself!  Consultants and planning staff will be available to answer any questions that you might have regarding the new unified development code.  The new unified development code will also be available to review on the project website. 

The streets of Ogden City never rest, there’s always a new business, building or project adding to what makes this city unique. The Ogden City Planning Division is the first step for those kicking off a start-up, modifying a building, or devising plans for new construction. They coordinate future land uses in the city through zoning and development standards. Not an easy task considering Ogden was the wild west with no zoning until 1951. “We call it cowboy rules, they built however they wanted, whatever they wanted,” says Joe Simpson, Ogden City’s Assistant Planning Director. “This made some of the most interesting things, it gave Ogden character.”

Planning works to keep that character alive while also mapping Ogden’s future. To simplify the process, they created the Concept Review Team (CRT), a complimentary service that review plans, ensuring they align with city code, zoning, and Ogden City’s General Plan. “While not an official review, it provides feedback for a project. It just allows us to get together and talk through the project," explains Simpson. "Planning, engineering, utilities and building come to the table ready to answer questions. This helps cut down on the phone calls, emails, and texts to various city departments and stakeholders.”

Because Ogden is a historic city with buildings dating back to the 1800s, zoning and land uses evolved over time. Planning staff can help determine whether a proposed business or project fits within the allowed uses for a specific building or area. That’s why it’s important to meet with Planning early, before finalizing any plans. Simpson say, “They may not know how to set up a building, meet all the health department requirements, get all the licensing and have all the utilities and things they may need to run their business. The CRT is helpful when people don’t know where to start.”

Ogden’s CRT has become the standard for many cities, some even reached out to hear how the process works. “We run a very efficient meeting because you’ve got a lot of people there, especially the fire marshal and building official,” says Simpson. To serve as many prospective customers as possible, CRT supplies a general template with all their contact information, links to city codes and the applications needed to start a project. CRT members also fill out a summary of action items and next steps to guide the prospective business into a positive outcome although sometimes those plans may not work out, “We want to see things grow, but sometimes we have to say it’s not going to work. But we’re going to work, we’re going to beat our heads to make sure we’ve exhausted every option until we get to that point,” says Simpson.

Every business owner, homeowner, or developer’s journey starts with Ogden City’s Planning Division and ideally ends with a successful project. If you’re ready to take that first step and become part of Ogden’s evolving landscape, connect with planning staff at planning@ogdencity.gov. From there, they’ll answer any questions you have or get you on the CRT schedule. The CRT meets every Wednesday, from 9am to 10:30am inside the Municipal Building at 2549 Washington Blvd.

Williams International is expanding in Ogden with support from a local Tax Increment Financing (TIF) incentive approved by the Ogden City Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Board. This expansion will add more than 300 high-wage aerospace jobs to the area, with expected investments in Williams’ Utah operations of over $1 billion dollars over the coming years.

“This expansion embodies “The Ogden Way” of creating economic opportunity and building a community where all can thrive,” said Mayor Ben Nadolski. “Williams International has long been an anchor employer in Ogden, providing high-quality, family-supporting jobs for our residents while championing vital workforce development efforts. We are excited to support Williams’ continued growth in the decades to come.”

Williams International is a world leader in the design and development of gas turbine engines used for business jets, uncrewed aircraft, and cruise missiles. The company has been located in Ogden since 1978 and currently has more than 900 local employees. Williams International has achieved significant growth in both the commercial and national defense sectors, creating a need for the current facility expansion. 

“Utah is a great place to do business, and we are thrilled to embark on this significant expansion in Ogden,” said Gregg Williams, Chairman, President, and CEO of Williams International. “This investment underscores our commitment to innovation and our dedication to creating high-quality jobs in the local community. We are grateful for the continued support from the Ogden City RDA Board and look forward to many more years of collaboration and success.”

The Ogden City RDA Board approved up to $22 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) support as a post-performance incentive for Williams’ expansion, with a commitment to invest an additional $5.5 million in a new waterline at Ogden-Hinckley Airport. Up to $17 million of the TIF incentive will fund future investment in electrical infrastructure, which will support Williams’ expansion but also increase the capacity available to other businesses in the area. The TIF incentive is funded by a portion of the new property tax revenues that will be created by Williams’ expansion. The use of TIF for Williams’ expansion aligns with the Airport Community Reinvestment Area goals of generating new employment, growing the property tax base, providing public infrastructure, and encouraging the development of vacant land.

Introducing Ogden Serve:   Your City, at Your Fingertips!

Ogden residents, we’re excited to announce that Ogden Serve, our new citizen reporting and service request tool, is officially live and ready to use!

Ogden Serve makes it easier than ever to connect with your City government. Whether you spot a pothole, notice a broken streetlight, want to report graffiti, or have a question about City services, you can now:

-Submit requests anytime, from your phone or computer

-Track the status of your report in real time

-Receive updates directly from City staff

-Help make Ogden an even better place to live

This tool is powered by the same proven software used by communities nationwide to elevate transparency, improve response times, and put service right in your hands.

 Why Ogden Serve matters:

Convenience — Report issues quickly with just a few taps

Transparency — Stay informed from start to finish

Impact — Your voice helps drive improvements across Ogden

Ogden City, the 223 Locomotive Foundation, and the Colorado Railroad Museum are excited to announce a plan to restore the Denver & Rio Grande Western #223 to operational status to operate for the public.

One of three surviving C-16 locomotives and the last surviving narrow-gauge Grant-built locomotive, D&RGW C-16 #223 was manufactured in 1881 and served the D&RGW lines in Colorado and New Mexico throughout its working life. After being located in Ogden for over 30 years, ownership of the locomotive was officially transferred to Ogden City in February 2024 from the Utah Historical Society. Since then, city staff have been undergoing vigorous analysis as to the future of the locomotive with the goal of determining the best future for this historic engine.

During this process, Ogden City solicited expert opinions, examined partnership capabilities, and invited public comment. The City hired narrow-gauge locomotive expert John Bush to complete a full inventory of the #223’s component parts over the course of 6 months, which was facilitated with funding from the Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation connected by board president Jimmy Booth. At the same time, the City solicited written and verbal consultations with over a dozen relevant individuals and organizations; additionally, the City hosted a community townhall meeting and survey. Based on relevant feedback and capabilities, priorities for #223’s envisioned future included a return to operational status with full FRA approval, as well as a focus on operating the engine in its historic homelands in Colorado. 

Based on united goals to preserve railroading history and honor this engine, Ogden City has completed negotiations with partner organizations. The 223 Locomotive Foundation will take ownership of D&RGW #223 as a purpose-created 501(c)3 non-profit. They are fundraising for an operational restoration of #223. Once restored, the engine will visit Colorado’s narrow-gauge railroads pulling public excursion trains. Within 10 years of achieving operational status, the D&RGW #223’s permanent home will be at the Colorado Railroad Museum, which hosts operating narrow-gauge tracks in Golden, CO and tours locomotives throughout Colorado. 

“The 223’s journey is a testament to the passion and perseverance of volunteers who refused to let this piece of history fade away,” said Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski. “Their dedication when others were unwilling to step up kept the dream of the 223 alive, because of them, this remarkable locomotive now has the chance to be part of something much bigger — restored, celebrated, and shared with generations to come. While it’s hard to see this important piece of history leave Ogden, I couldn’t be more proud of our volunteers and community who played a major role in ensuring that the 223 will once again steam to life and inspire everyone who sees it.”

223 Locomotive Foundation president Jimmy Booth said “After so many years of being a static artifact, we will now be able to move forward in making the #223 a piece of living history to educate current and future generations on how narrow gauge railroading built the communities of the Rockies, along with the development of steam locomotives.”

“We set out to understand and implement the best possible future for this locomotive. I truly believe we’ve accomplished this,” said Hope Eggett, museum administrator for the Museums at Union Station. “With this plan, generations will be able to experience Rocky Mountain railroading, reflecting the priorities and desires of both the narrow-gauge community and the Utah State Railroad Museum.” The #223 will be returning to Colorado in recognition of Colorado’s 150^th anniversary of statehood in 2026, celebrating the role of the railroad in the state’s creation.

“We are deeply grateful to previous stewards of the #223 for preserving this locomotive, especially the Golden Spike Chapter of the National Railway and Locomotive Historical Society,” Eggett said. In recognition for their contributions, members of the Golden Spike Chapter and Ogden City residents will receive discounted fares on future train rides and will be recognized in a plaque on the locomotive.

More about the 223 Locomotive Foundation can be found at 223locomotivefoundation.org. The founding board of directors includes Jimmy Booth, president, Ray Bjerrum, treasurer, and Jeff Taylor, secretary. More about the Colorado Railroad Museum can be found at coloradorailroadmuseum.org. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the timeline & next steps for #223?

The official transfer of ownership is being initiated now, and the 223 Locomotive Foundation is beginning fundraising efforts immediately.

The component parts of #223 will continue to be physically housed in Ogden as a logistical courtesy until restoration facilities are ready to receive it, anticipated in 2026.

Where can I learn more about the 223 Locomotive Foundation?

You can visit the Foundation’s website at 223locomotivefoundation.org

The mission statement for the 223 Locomotive Foundation is:

Restore Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad's C-16 locomotive 223 to both operational and museum-quality based on the end of service life configuration. Ensure the management and maintenance of locomotive 223 for the benefit of future generations, thereby preserving the unique history of Colorado's narrow-gauge railroads. Collaborate with Colorado museums and operational railroads to operate, maintain, and demonstrate the historical significance of the C-16 class locomotive.

How do I contact the 223 Locomotive Foundation?

Visit our website and donate to the #223 project at 223locomotivefoundation.org.   Email the board of directors at info@223LF.org.   

Where can I learn more about the Colorado Railroad Museum?

The Colorado Railroad Museum brings Colorado’s rich rail heritage to life with dozens of narrow- and standard-gauge steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars and cabooses. Located on a spectacular 15-acre site in Clear Creek Valley in Golden, just west of Denver, the Museum features a half mile circle of operating track offering weekend train rides, a working roundhouse and turntable, educational tours for school groups plus families and adults, a railroad research library and publications program, along with exhibition galleries, an outdoor railyard, and a huge indoor HO model railroad and outdoor G-scale garden railway. Smaller artifacts and full-size rail vehicles from the Museum, including operating steam locomotives, occasionally travel to offsite locations for display and to pull special excursions for benefit of the public.

Visit www.ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org to learn more.

How do I contact the Colorado Railroad Museum?

Email Info@crrm.org or call (303) 279-4591 (Tuesday-Sunday, 9-5 MT, closed Monday)

Physical Address: 17155 W 44^th Avenue, Golden, CO 80403

How will the Golden Spike Chapter be recognized? How will Ogden City citizens be recognized?

Ogden City, the 223 Locomotive Foundation, and the Colorado Railroad Museum recognize the contributions that the Golden Spike Chapter of the R&LHS has made to the preservation of this locomotive. In honor of this, members of the Golden Spike chapter will be given discounted fares upon restoration of the #223 to operation. The chapter will also be recognized in a plaque that will travel with the locomotive. In addition, Ogden City residents will also receive discounted fares in gratitude for their support of the #223 for the last 30 years.

Ogden City recognizes five years of improvements to public parks, trails, and recreation amenities across the community. Where public input has made it clear that amenities and not just acres are essential, the upgrades demonstrate the city’s continued commitment to creating high-quality public parks for families, neighborhoods and visitors.

Since 2019, Ogden has completed more than 40 projects at parks and recreation areas throughout the city, with the majority of these finalized in the last two years. These include new playgrounds, ADA-compliant walkways, modern restrooms, resurfaced courts, improved trail segments, upgraded irrigation systems, and restored ballfields. Projects have been supported through city funds, RAMP grants, and partner support.

While there has been significant progress, the City Administration recognizes that there is still considerable opportunity for continued improvements across the city.

“We’ve been working intently to complete a number of park projects that had been delayed or backlogged over the years, and we’re excited about what’s still ahead,” Mayor Ben Nadolski said. “I want to thank our employees across the city who have worked hard to see these projects through, and I also want to thank the Ogden City Council for their continued support and prioritization of funding that helps move capital improvement projects toward completion.”

Recent improvements include a new playground and swings at Jaycee Park, with additional upgrades planned for 2026. At Big Dee Park, crews installed a new playground with ADA access and are now constructing a dog park. Bonneville Park has received two new playgrounds, shade structures, basketball court resurfacing and water-smart irrigation technology. The Marshall White Center recently introduced a brand-new park and top-tier playing fields as part of the larger community center project. Grandview has also seen playable surface improvements with a focus on soccer. Other neighborhood parks like Monroe, Francis, Romrell, Orchard, Courtyard, and Grandview have each received new playgrounds, walkways, or sports facility updates.

Larger park complexes such as West Stadium Park, Miles Goodyear and West Ogden Park have benefited from baseball and softball field reconstruction, new restrooms and trailhead signage. The Parkway Trail System has also seen repaving and upgrades from the mouth of Ogden Canyon to Harrison Boulevard and several other key trailheads.

This summer, Ogden City hosted an open house at the Golden Hours Senior Center to share proposed improvements to Lester Park, the city’s original grand park, located in the East Central neighborhood. The event featured a presentation from local landscape architect and Ogden resident Shalae Larsen, owner of IO Landarch, whose design firm created the updated park concept. The

plans were shaped by neighborhood feedback and include upgraded lighting, woven walking paths, a new playground, improved restrooms, event space, multi-season programming and new recreational features including playing courts and pickleball. Other park improvements on the docket immediately include 9th Street Park, the East side dog park at Big D., 4th Street expansion, and improvements at Mt. Ogden Park.

“The response to the Lester Park plans was overwhelmingly positive,” Parks and Recreation Manager Edd Bridge said. “This is a great example of what happens when we listen to the community and take care of our most historic public spaces.”

The city has committed $4 million to the Lester Park project. Construction will begin this fall with the addition of pickleball courts as the first phase.

Ogden is also in the middle of a citywide parks and recreation utilization study that will help guide future planning and resource allocation. The study is collecting data on how and when parks are used, the types of activities taking place, and where additional improvements may be needed. Sources include location-based cell phone data, community surveys and on-site observations.

The study is measuring average daily visits, peak usage hours, seasonal trends, dwell time, top-used amenities and underserved recreational needs. It will help the city better understand how to meet resident needs and ensure fair, effective park investments across all neighborhoods.

On Sept. 2, the city received official notice from the Ogden School District identifying the former Taylor Canyon Elementary School property as surplus. This begins the process for the city to evaluate whether the site should be considered for public use. City leaders say the opportunity will be reviewed through the lens of current planning, neighborhood context, neighborhood engagement, and long-term public benefit.

“This is exactly the kind of moment our planning efforts prepare us for,” said Public Services Executive Director, Justin Anderson. “When opportunities like Taylor Canyon come up, we want to be ready—with data, with community insight and with a clear understanding of where our investments can make the biggest difference.”

“This tells us we are in a strong position,” Anderson said. “It also reinforces the need to invest wisely in the spaces we already own, and to do so throughout every neighborhood in Ogden. The improvements we’ve made in the last five years have provided better access, more amenities and stronger public spaces that support The Ogden Way.”

The city’s approach to park planning and investment aligns with the principles of The Ogden Way, a community framework focused on strong infrastructure, stable neighborhoods, healthy lifestyles and meaningful connections. Leaders say the focus on long-term maintenance and responsible upgrades will continue to guide future decisions as the city grows.

Ogden is a City of Service and a Community of Opportunity. For more information about city parks or to view the Parks, Recreation and Trails Master Plan, visit ogdencity.gov/parks

We are excited to announce that our remodeled restaurant at the Ogden airport is back open! We have expanded our menu due to the larger kitchen. We have a larger dining room with a kids area. 

So come eat and enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery! 

Watch airplanes take off and land. 

Relax and watch your children play on the playground.

Softball, Baseball, flag football, volleyball, basketball and the handful of other sports Ogden City offers each season all start the same way—asking for volunteers to step up and coach. Hundreds of kids register to play, launching their dreams of being the next Lauri Markkanen, Shohei Ohtani or Cailin Clark, but it’s the volunteer coaches who make the season happen. Recreational sports keep kids busy, moving, all while instilling positive characteristics like cooperation, resilience and sportsmanship. It’s the front-row seat to this growth that keeps coaches coming back season after season.

While each coach is valued, their volunteered time and skill recognized by parents and city leadership alike, there’s a push to see more female coaches in Ogden sports. Despite the 3 million girls participating in sports, The Women’s Sports Foundation found that females are underrepresented as coaches and players. Girls seeing women play, lead and coach keeps those girls playing, and maybe one day becoming leaders and coaches themselves. With this ideal in mind, the Utah Jazz and Salt Lake Toyota Dealers created the Her Time Clinics where girls from around the state come play inside the Jazz practice facility.

Ogden City Recreation players had their chance to practice and play with Jazz officials on Tuesday. Running drills, shooting 3-pointers and cheering one another on as they weaved down the court. Out of breath and happy, the surprises didn’t stop there. For several years now, Ogden’s Britanie Williams has coached not only girls’ basketball but Untamed Ogden volleyball. After being nominated for her efforts by Ogden City Recreation, the Utah Jazz and Toyota recognized Coach Williams during the Her Time Clinic.

There have been a lot of amazing nominations [of female coaches], but there was clearly one coach who went above and beyond, making sports more accessible in Ogden, Coach Britanie Williams,” announced Jazz Head Coach Will Hardy. Standing off to the side, arms crossed, sporting her Ogden Untamed t-shirt emblazoned with “COACH”, Coach Williams came forward only to be handed an inflatable key. “This goes to your new truck,” said Coach Hardy as he pointed out the windows. After a shocked “no way”, the room erupted with cheers and tears.

“It was totally a shock. I’m still shaking” says Coach Williams holding the giant key.  The Utah Jazzed asked for nominations of youth coaches impacting their communities in a positive way. Despite receiving hundreds or responses, Coach Williams stood out because of her empowering mentorship for girls in the community as well as making sports more accessible to the players in Ogden City.

Mayor Ben Nadolski, often a volunteer coach for Ogden Untamed himself, knows firsthand what it takes to be a youth sports coach. “Britanie is a perfect example of what it means to be an engaged, powerful woman who is providing the best example to our kids. It’s a proven fact that when young girls have powerful women in their lives as a role model, they live better lives. They become stronger adults,” he explains.

Ogden City Recreation strives to make city sports more inclusive, keeping young female athletes in the game by hosting tournaments like the Girls High School All-State Invitational and D1 Prospects Girls Utah High School All-State Fast Pitch Tournament. The addition of Ogden Untamed also opened up more opportunities for the city’s youth by offering competitive baseball, softball, basketball and volleyball. Untamed gives players looking for the next level in sports an affordable option, keeping Ogden’s youth engaged and empowered as they grow in a sport. Ogden City Recreation describes Ogden Untamed as comp level play at recreation pay, believing all kids should be in the sport they want without socioeconomics being an issue. Mayor Nadolski says he’ll continue to push for youth sports, saying, “Empowering our youth, particularly our young women is priority number one for Ogden City and priority number one for our entire community.”

Nowhere was this more evident than on the court of the Utah Jazz practice facility at the Her Time Clinic. Jim Olson, President of the Jazz agrees, “With it being Women’s History Month it’s a great time to celebrate the accomplishments of women, especially in sports. At the Utah Jazz, we believe in the transformative power of sports.

With basketball winding down, the snow melting and the grass getting a bit greener, it’s time for baseball and softball-- all those teams need a coach. “If you want to get involved you can at the rec level in sports or you can get involved with Ogden Untamed, which is comp level and rec level of play,” says Mayor Nadolski. “We’re always looking for good, qualified coaches who understand the game, but more importantly understand kids, understand developing young athletes and provide a good example.”

If you want to coach, officiate or register your child, head to Ogden City Recreation