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Show Think of a summer season by Jack Turner Politics and economics are great for discussion. It's the arena where everyone is an expert. You can count me in when it comes to expressing myself about the state of Park City. After all, what's public input without all us - . nuts coming out of the woodwork? ' f , Having time to digest what I hear and collect my thoughts inspires me to write this My Point of View. A broad economic base is a goal that seems popular with everyone. No one wants to be dependent on one industry or a narrow segment of one industry. Skiing is one activity, during one season, of one industry tourism. Economic stability and expansion are possible when there is a mixture, or a balance of components to local industry. Tourism itself can take on a role larger than that of just skiing. There are also non-tourism alternatives to the economy, but I doubt that light industrial, high technology, or any other activity can compete on the same scale as resort business. Besides that, a major reason to relocate business here is because Park City is a resortrecreation town. Expanding the economic base means that there is a variety of work, for a variety of people, at different incomecommitment levels. Stability is moderately increasing sales at a steady rate, more year-round employment, and fewer fluctuations in the economy as a whole. Regardless of the measures taken to protect Park City's economic health, there will always be fluctuations in segments of our industry some more than others. Developers will tell you that the world is coming to an end in 1985. It's the same story miners had not too mnay years ago. As a community, we have a responsibility to take reasonable measures to reviveassist economic components that are down, but we also have to maintain those that work. The retail trade, restaurant, and entertainment industry isn't faced with the same predicament that real estate is. It isn't stuck with the same degree of overpriced over-priced inventory. The most common complaint heard is that there is a lack of traffic through shops. One local entrepreneur asked, "Where's the people?". The people will come when Park City is open. One reason why customers seem so prevelant in the ski season is that everyone is open. At other times of the year, it's a crapshoot as to which stores are restaurants are open. We're in a chicken-and-egg situation. No one wants to open because there is a shortage of customers. There's a shortage of customers because no one is open (dependably). As I See it If we have to dig out the Alpine Slide, push-start the;, gondola, shovel off the golf course, and man every store and restaurant with a skeleton staff, Park City has got to be open no later than June 1! Actually, we shouldn't close after the ski area shuts down. Everyone in this town believes that the world ceases to operate from May to July and later on in the fall. We can find lots of excuses why not to be open. Whether it's spring mud or parking space, excuses won't improve our lot. If we want to campaign for people to come here and leave their cash, our motto should be "PARK CITY IS OPEN!" Visitors aren't interested in coming to a town if they think most of the doors will be locked. There must also be a reason to come visit Park City at any time. It's related to being open for business Retail outlets, gift shops, restaurants, golf, a variety of theatrical performances, and the mountainoutdoorsy atmosphere are a good start. But they aren't really unique to Park City. There are thousands of places on the Wasatch Front that offer one or more of the componenets previously listed. Park City special events help create a unique drawing card, but they can't stand alone. The Arts Festival, Autumn Aloft, 4th of July and a whole list of other activities are unbeatable. The problem is that a visitor, whether from Salt Lake or out of state, has to plan time in Park City to coincide with a special event. If they miss, the town's going to be dead. Look at it this way: if someone comes in the winter, they are guaranteed of a great ski vacation. Skiing is the constant value. Chances are they will also run into a special event at the same time. The World Cup races, snow sculpture contests, and film festivals, are icing on the cake (I might also point out that guests are guaranteed that everyone is open for business) . Is it possible to develop a summer drawing card? One that's unique to Park City and dependable throughout the summer? What if vacant lots, patio areas, and other open space could be turned into beer gardens and artcraft displays? Can we promote the theatrical offerings on a different level? Maybe we should build a waterslide right down the middle of Main Street. SOMEBODY THINK OF SOMETHING! We need a season. - |