In something resembling a three-act play, Pleasant Grove broke ground on three office buildings in The Grove area Friday.

Mayor Mike Daniels said the event marked a major shift in the economic center of Utah County.

"The center of gravity for Utah County has shifted to Pleasant Grove, " he said. Daniels and developer Dennis Baker of DMB Investments based in Boise, Idaho spoke at all three groundbreaking ceremonies held over a period of about one-and-a-half hours.

Buildings involved in the event included a 10,000 square foot Central Bank building on the corner of 2000 West and Pleasant Grove Boulevard; the first of four office buildings in the Grove Creek Centre, a $60 million office park near the BMW dealership; and a 20,000 square foot building next door which will become the new home of the University of Phoenix in Utah County.

During the event, the city also cut the ribbon on a newly completed section of 2000 West, which connects the Pleasant Grove I-15 Interchange with State Street in Lindon.

Central Bank is scheduled to be completed in 2008, with banking services on the first floor and leased office space on the second level.

Horrocks Engineering will be the anchor tenant for the new office building in the Grove Creek Centre, also schedule for completion in summer of 2008.

Locating its main office in American Fork for the past 37 years, recent growth in the company has forced a move to larger quarters, said Larry Reasch, one of the principals of Horrocks.

The University of Phoenix plans to open its new office in September, 2008. The move, said Darris Howe, vice president and director of the Utah Campus, will reflect the trend in students at the university, which caters to working adults who want to continue their education.

"Recently, the majority of our students have come from north of the Provo campus, from such towns as American Fork, Pleasant Grove and Lehi," Howe said. "Students have expressed a desire to have the campus closer to where they live, to reduce their commute time after evening classes. The new facility will accomplish this."

Baker praised Pleasant Grove for being accommodating, and said the area has great promise.

"Pleasant Grove has made great strides lately in streamlining their permit processes and planning and in marketing the city," he said. "I think great things will come from all of our combined public and private partnerships."

NEWS BRIEFS

¢ Bookenders Book Club meet tonight -- Tonight the Bookenders Book Club will hold its first meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Library. This month's book is the 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner "The Road," by Cormac McCarthy. The discussion leaders are Yara Wilson and Tammra Salisbury. No registration is required to join in this group.

¢ Cross Country -- PG Recreation Center's Cross Country Club, for third-eighth grade boys and girls, will begin Oct. 2. Participants will train in distance running, nutrition and all-around fitness. Training will be conducted by Pleasant Grove High School track coach and track members. Participants will be able to compete in three or four meets throughout the season. Registration will continue until Sept. 29 at the recreation center. Fee for Pleasant Grove and Lindon residents is $30 and $45 for non-residents. Fee includes a T-shirt.

¢ Women's and men's basketball -- Registration for Pleasant Grove Recreation Center's women's and men's basketball programs will begin on Oct. 1 and will continue until slots are filled. Fees are required at time of registration.

Women's: This league is considered a "B" league. There is a limit of three ex-college players per team. Teams will play nine league games and end with a tournament. The season begins Jan. 2. Fee is $425 per team.

Men's: The season begins in Dec. The teams will play 11 league games and end with a double elimination tournament. Fee is $475 per team.

¢ Competitive Jr. Wrestling Club -- Fifth through ninth graders can participate in the Pleasant Grove Recreation Center's Competitive Jr. Wrestling Club. The club will help participants to improve fundamentals and basic moves of wrestling. Practices will be in Nov., with matches being held throughout the season with other cities. Season will end with a state tournament. Registration is from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1. Pleasant Grove and Lindon residents' fee is $90. Non-resident fee is $135. The fee includes a T-shirt and shorts.

¢ Central Utah gardens -- Come and learn how to plan a beautiful landscape that thrives on little water at Central Utah Gardens, 355 W. University Parkway in Orem. The gardens offer free classes, garden tours, colorful perennial garden, dry river bed, a formal garden and a sprinkler display. The gardens are free to the public, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, go to www.centralutahgardens.org or call 801-222-0123.