A 2034 Olympic “listening tour” meeting Monday at Provo City gave Olympics leaders a chance to meet with Judkins and establish a relationship as planning for the games moves forward. 

“Provo has always been a great partner, and now we’ve got Mayor Judkins here to be our new partner going forward and take us all the way forward to execute their vision, what’s important to them, but at the same time hosting fabulous Olympic competitions,” Utah 2034 President Fraser Bullock said.  

Despite plans to host just a single Olympic event at a single venue — ice hockey at the Peaks Ice Arena — Provo has much to do to prepare for the games. Judkins said she was ready to get to work. 

“There are a lot of things that we’re already working towards — we already have this vision. This (meeting) could really help us get there,” she said. 

Judkins acknowledged that former Mayor Michelle Kaufusi’s administration “did amazing things” to prepare the city for the games.

Under Kaufusi’s leadership, Provo built a new airport terminal and began construction on a 10-gate terminal expansion. Kaufusi also worked out a deal with the county to ensure the Peaks Ice Arena stayed open and under city control.  

Two tasks Judkins said the city needs to solve going forward are enhancing the Peaks Ice Arena and addressing transportation challenges. It will cost $12 million to improve the arena  —  including adjusting the rink size and installing temporary seating — and Judkins said the city is looking for $10 million in outside funding. 

The main route to the Peaks Ice Arena when traveling from Salt Lake City is to take the Center Street exit in Provo from Interstate 15 and travel east through downtown. Judkins said transportation in the downtown area needs to be “revisioned and redesigned.” 

Judkins also addressed these transportation concerns during her candidacy in an interview with the Daily Herald last October.  She said the city needs to update the transportation master plan and find ways to improve north-south and east-west access without adding congestion, possibly through public transportation. 

Another responsibility for the city, county and the Olympics committee is to find ways to engage the community in the games beyond the ice hockey competitions. 

“What are all the festivities that can happen in Provo, around the games, outside of the venue? Because we want so many people to participate, all of Provo is welcome,” Bullock said.

Judkins added: “I know that Salt Lake City has hosted a lot of things outside of the venue, and I’m pretty confident that we can find some common ground on things that we could host here.”