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Show C-1 B-1 NONPROFITS MOUNT RESPONSE TO CRISIS PREP ATHLETES FACE AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE TAKING STOCK, A-6 CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE COLUMNS, A-10 GROCERY STORES WORK TO MEET DEMAND The Park Record has a webpage dedicated to our coverage of the COVID-19 virus. You can find it at parkrecord.com/coronavirus. SKI SEASON TAKES A DIFFERENT KIND OF TURN Park Record. The PA R K C I T Y, U TA H | W W W. PA R K R E C O R D . C O M Wed/Thurs/Fri, March 18-20, 2020 Serving Summit County since 1880 Vol. 140 | No. 13 $1.00 PARK CITY SHUTTERED Sweeping restrictions put in place County order forces closure of some businesses, requires others to make major changes BUBBA BROWN The Park Record Summit County on Sunday announced sweeping restrictions on the operations of businesses and churches, a stunning measure meant to slow the transmission of COVID-19 after the first case in the area of community spread of the novel coronavirus was detected. The order, issued by County Attorney Margaret Olson and Health Director Rich Bullough, is by a wide margin the most drastic step local officials have enacted to fight COVID-19 and a development that for many residents seemed unthinkable just weeks ago. The order became effective at 5 p.m. Sunday and is scheduled to expire on April 16. Bullough will reevaluate the order in late March. Among the restrictions included in the order is a ban on dine-in service at restaurants. Establishments, including bars and restaurants in hotels, may offer curbside pick-up to patrons, as well as delivery serPlease see Sweeping, A-6 TANZI PROPST/PARK RECORD Top left: A shopper scans depleted shelves Monday in the meats department at The Market at Park City. Grocery stores throughout the area have struggled to keep up with demand as people stock up on food and other supplies. Bottom left: Maria Flete, an employee at the Christian Center of Park City, assembles a box of groceries Monday at the nonprofit’s food pantry, which remains open for people who need it. Right: The Egyptian Theatre’s marquee displays messages of support and optimism. The venue is closed and has canceled shows as a result of the coronavirus. Ski lifts stop turning as worries mount Amid a crisis, Deer Valley, PCMR close schools strive as county aims to slow the spread of the coronavirus for normalcy BUBBA BROWN The Park Record Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort voluntarily closed over the weekend in response to concerns about COVID-19, likely bringing to an abrupt close what once seemed to be a banner ski season nearly a month before its planned end. The parent companies of both resorts announced the closures of their North American ski areas on Saturday, hours after health officials detailed the first known occurrence in Summit County of community spread of the coronavirus and a day before county officials formally banned ski resorts from operating until at least the middle of April. Vail Resorts on Saturday indicated it would suspend operations at its North American ski areas, including PCMR, through March 22. Tuesday morning, the company announced its resorts would remain closed through the rest of the season. The closure includes Vail Resorts’ retail stores. “Our decision to end the season now is evidence of the fast-moving situation involving COVID-19, and it was not an easy one to make as we deeply considered the extended impact it will have on our guests, employees and communities,” said Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts, in a statement. “While it is incredibly disappointing for our company to mark the end of the season so early, we know it is the most responsible path forward.” Deer Valley owner Alterra Mountain Company, meanwhile, suspended operations at its resorts until further notice. The suspension includes food and beverage, retail and rental services. “I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this short notice will undoubtedly create,” said Alterra CEO Rusty Gregory in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming you back to your mountains as circumstances improve.” Woodward Park City also closed, indicating the action sports and ski resort planned to 3 sections • 30 pages Classifieds .............................. C-7 Restaurant Guide.................... C-6 Scoreboard ............................. B-5 halt operations until at least March 22. On Sunday, a day after the ski areas announced the voluntary closures, Summit County took the formal step of banning them from operating, implementing an extensive public health order restricting resorts and many other businesses in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the community. The order is scheduled to expire April 16, four days after the scheduled final day of ski season, though Summit County Health Director Rich Bullough planned to reevaluate the order in late March. Vail Resorts indicated its lodging and property management operations will close Friday. Additionally, the Broomfield, Colorado-based company said Saturday it was closing its corporate offices and urging non-essential personnel to work from home if possible. The company planned to pay its seasonal and year-round employees during its eightday suspension without requiring them to use vacation or sick time. It was unclear Tuesday morning what effect the move to close for the rest of the season would have on employee compensation. According to a Deer Valley spokesperson, Alterra Mountain Company will pay workers for one additional week beyond Sunday’s closure date. Deer Valley is also providing food and lodging to employees who need it. “While Deer Valley is encouraging all seasonal employees to make their way home, we are allowing those who need to utilize employee housing until their departure to do so at no charge,” said spokesperson Emily Summers in response to a Park Record inquiry. “Additionally we are working to reduce the number of occupants in each unit to better enhance social distancing goals. We will also be providing these employees with two free meals a day while they wait to return home.” Vail Resorts indicated purchases like lift tickets, equipment rentals and ski school bookings can be fully refunded. The Epic Pass and other season pass products are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another season, according to a statement from Katz. “Please know that we will get to everyone Please see Ski resorts, A-2 Providing meals and remote learning are focus for staffers in Summit County’s 3 districts ALEXANDER CRAMER The Park Record While schools have closed for at least the next two weeks due to COVID-19, teachers and administrative staff say they’re working to provide students with as much support as they can in these uncertain times. Schools provide more than just education, and amid the rapidly changing landscape brought on by seemingly unprecedented reaction to the pandemic, all three Summit County school districts are offering meals to students and working to transition to distance learning. The situation is challenging, but teachers and staff say they’re proud of the solutions they’ve been able to find. “This is a work in progress,” said Julie Hooker, a Park City High School teacher and a co-president of the Park City Education Association. “We have been advised ... to really be flexible with this and really be compassionate and not overwhelm kids and recognize that everyone is in a different place. ... It’s the uncertainty that’s making it so difficult. And that’s no one’s fault.” Meals One of the key functions school districts fulfill is feeding students, something that might not be as obvious as the education and social connection schools provide, but something that gives some students 10 meals per week. In Park City, breakfast and lunch will be available free of charge to all students age 18 and under for the duration of the dismissal. Parents can pick up one breakfast and one lunch per student from 8-10 a.m. at Ecker Hill Middle School or Treasure Mountain TANZI PROPST/PARK RECORD Park City Mountain Resort closed for the season due to worries about the coronavirus. Deer Valley Resort and Woodward Park City announced they were suspending operations. MAKE A DIFFERENCE Please see Schools, A-2 With many events canceled in Summit County, The Park Record will be using this space, typically an events guide, to publish ways Parkites can make a difference in the community during the coronavirus crisis. Send your ideas to editor@parkrecord.com. |