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OGDEN — When International Olympic Committee officials visited Weber County as they toured potential host sites for the 2034 Olympics, they gushed about the possible venue locations.
"They were just blown away. It was awesome," said Snowbasin General Manager Davy Ratchford, alluding to the response the Huntsville-area ski resort received. "I think they said 'stunning' over and over again. It was cool to show off the resort."
Likewise, Weber County Commissioner Jim Harvey said the Ice Sheet in Ogden — host site for curling in the 2002 Olympics — received an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "They loved our facilities. They loved all the natural light our facilities had to offer," he said. "It felt really good. The response they were giving us was incredibly positive."
In announcing proposed competition venues on April 3, though, Snowbasin was identified as a site for Alpine skiing while the Ice Sheet was left off the list. Instead, the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City was identified as the proposed curling venue. That, nevertheless, doesn't necessarily end things. County officials hold out hope the Ice Sheet, located inside the Weber County Sports Complex on the Weber State University campus, still has a chance of being an Olympic venue in 2034.
"That's 10 years away. Anything can happen in 10 years," said Weber County Commissioner Gage Froerer. "We'd love to have curling in there."
Harvey, who accompanied Olympic officials when they visited the Ice Sheet on April 10, told the visiting contingent that Weber County is "happy to partner and contribute" to the Olympic effort, whether that means the Ice Sheet serves as a competitive venue or practice facility for athletes. He said seating capacity — 3,000 to 3,500 at the Ice Sheet versus around 10,000 at the Salt Palace — factored in the preliminary selection of the Salt Lake City facility.
Ice Sheet director Mariko Rollins also remains hopeful. "We are confident that Weber County will continue their positive dialogue regarding being named an event host site or a major activation space for northern Utah residents to enjoy the games," Rollins said.
Weber County officials have previously debated investing up to $10 million into the Ice Sheet to prepare it for 2034, but it's not clear where funds would come from. "That's still up for discussion," Harvey said.
'A world-class resort'
Utah Olympics officials identified 13 proposed Olympic and Paralympic facilities in their April 3 announcement, most of them in Salt Lake County, including the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, the Maverik Center in West Valley City and the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns. Other proposed locations include Utah Olympic Park in Park City, among other sites in the city, as well as Peaks Ice Arena in Provo.
Committee identifies 13 Utah locations to serve as possible 2034 Winter Olympics venues
Thirteen Utah venues have been identified as proposed Olympic venues as part of Utah's preferred host bid file for the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.In making the case for using the Ice Sheet, Froerer said spreading events to a broader array of locations helps spread the financial windfall of the Olympics to more communities. Spreading the venue locations also helps alleviate possible congestion and traffic issues created by holding too many events in a concentrated area, he said.
As for Snowbasin's pick as a possible site for Alpine skiing events in 2034, Ratchford cited the continued investment in the resort and its role as an Olympic site in the 2002 games. Snowbasin has been identified as a potential site in 2034 for downhill, super G and combined events for both men and women, he said. Resort officials told Olympic authorities they're also willing to hold the giant slalom and slalom events as well, if need be.
"We built a world-class resort to get ready for 2002, and we've only gotten better. What helps us the most is we keep investing in the experience up here," Ratchford said. Between 2002 and 2034, he said, actual and planned improvements at Snowbasin will result in the installation or replacement of eight lifts.
Weber County's top tourism official, meantime, is eager at the prospects. "The 2002 Winter Olympics, and the legacy they left, have seemingly become part of Utah's DNA and we look forward to continuing and enhancing that legacy for generations into the future," said Sara Toliver, president of Visit Ogden.
