Mayor Zoltanski delivered a short year-in-review address to Sandy residents, summarizing projects city leaders completed or began in 2025 and previewing major events ahead. He opened by wishing the community a happy new year and framed his remarks as a look back at “a year that truly defines Sandy Rising.”

Zoltanski said the city opened a new Fire Station 31 next to America 1st Field. He said the station’s central location will shorten response times to key gathering places, including Hale Center Theater, the Expo Center and the Shops at Southtowne, and will give firefighters a modern, safer place to live and work. An unidentified speaker who spoke about the station transition called the move a morale boost: “We love it,” the speaker said, calling the new facility “a breath of fresh air.”

The mayor recapped progress on rebuilding after a 2017 public works fire and said Phase 2 — a new fleet maintenance building — is now complete. He also described an environmental project in which the Sandy Wetlands were relocated and expanded near Grandpa’s Pond and connected to the Jordan River to improve habitat diversity.

On transportation and infrastructure, Zoltanski said the city replaced two aging Willow Creek bridges to restore safe access for dozens of families and finished the Monroe Street expansion just west of the soccer stadium to improve access into and out of America 1st Field.

Bicentennial Park in historic Sandy received a “complete upgrade,” the mayor said, including a shaded playground, new pickleball and tennis courts, a slackline and a hammock park. One item in the original transcript of the address was unclear at the point where other amenities were listed; the mayor’s summary otherwise emphasized that the park is quickly becoming a popular community hangout.

After years of community input, the city began replacing the Alta Canyon Sports Center and broke ground on the new Sandy Community Recreation Center. An unidentified speaker described the center as “more than just a building” — a gathering place where children and families can play, connect and receive help — and Zoltanski noted demolition and construction milestones (the old building came down in September and shovels hit the dirt in November).

Zoltanski also highlighted recent private-sector investments in local sports and entertainment: the Utah Mammoth completed a headquarters and practice facility; Smith Entertainment Group announced a new practice facility for the Utah Jazz adjacent to that site; and Miller Sports Entertainment completed its acquisition of Real Salt Lake, the Utah Royals and the America 1st stadium.

Looking ahead, Zoltanski pointed to a major event scheduled for April: Lionel (Leo) Messi is expected to come to Sandy to play against Real Salt Lake, an appearance the mayor presented as a sign of the city’s momentum and growing profile. He closed by calling 2025 an historic year for the city and urged residents to watch for continued progress in 2026.

No formal votes or binding council actions were announced during the address; Zoltanski framed the remarks as accomplishments and progress reports rather than policy decisions or requests for council action.