It was a grand opening of sorts Friday night for the remodeled, yet still under construction, Dozier Field, but it wasn’t a party for the Miners football team, who fell 14-7 to Salem Hills.

Park City took an early lead on a first quarter touchdown rush from senior quarterback Josh Hofer, which it held until the final seconds of the first half, when Salem Hills took a fumble 75 yards forward to the end zone. That score put Salem Hills right back in the game, and a late third quarter lengthy touchdown pass was enough for the visitors to hold onto for the win.

“We should have won the game,” Miners Head Coach Dennis Cunningham said. “We didn’t execute. So we have just got to get better.”

Park City is 1-4 and will travel to face Provo at 7 p.m. next Friday.

“It’ll be interesting to see what happens this year,” said Parkite and contractor Alan Hoeksema about the new field. “But we’ll be able to sit in nice new stands. … I’m sure the contractor is really happy about holding the event here tonight.”

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Picabo Street is the most recognizable of the nominees for Vail Resorts’ board of directors submitted by activist investor Oasis Management, which seeks changes in how the ski company that owns Park City Mountain manages itself.

The company announced Friday morning it had received notices of intent to nominate the following individuals on these dates: 

• Via Oasis Management, on Sept. 9 and 10: Robert A. Chapek of Florida; M. Ashton Hudson of Florida; Bryce Roberts of Park City; and Picabo Street of Park City. 
• Via Gregory Syvert Meyer, on Sept. 10: The company received a self-nomination of Gregory Syvert Meyer of Florida. 

Vail Resorts said it “prioritizes consistent engagement with shareholders and welcomes ongoing dialogue around the shared interest of continuing to drive long-term shareholder value. As previously announced, the company has an active, fulsome search underway for a new independent director, which it expects to complete in early 2027.”

In other words, um, no. Not unless they can drum up a majority of shareholders to upend the company’s current path.

According to online news outlet SnowBrains, Oasis, which holds 6%-8% of Vail Resorts’ stock, seeks changes in the company’s management that could include selling some of its mountain properties.

Park City-based Cloudflare cofounder and CEO Matthew Prince has been loud about his desire to purchase Park City Mountain and publicly critical of the ski company’s management. Prince and wife Tatiana own The Park Record.

According to SnowBrains, because Vail Resorts is the largest ski resort operator in North America and the only major publicly traded ski resort company, a successful activist campaign could influence more than just the company’s future:

“If Oasis is able to enact changes, the outcome could also have implications for how major ski resorts are operated and invested in across the industry.”

“After evaluating all candidates, the board will include its recommended slate of director nominees in the company’s proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and distributed to all shareholders eligible to vote at the annual meeting,” Vail Resorts said. “Vail Resorts shareholders are not required to take any action at this time.”

Stockholders can obtain free copies of the company’s proxy statement (when available) and other documents that will be filed by Vail Resorts with the SEC at sec.gov, the SEC’s website, from the investor relations section of Vail Resorts’ website, investors.vailresorts.com, or by emailing Connie Wang at InvestorRelations@vailresorts.com.

Street charted a new course for American women in winning World Cup season titles and taking silver in the 1994 Olympics, gold in 1998, and began to show what American women could do on the slopes. Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin went on from there to dominate. Street’s last race was during the 2002 Olympics, finishing 16th in the downhill.

She has since started a school for winter athletes in Park City, Picabo Street Academy, and is a commentator for NBC Sports.

“I’ve spent my life skiing, winning Olympic medals, and giving back to the sport,” Street said Friday morning. “Over the years, I’ve learned that real success isn’t just about gold medals — it’s about passing that love on.”

She said she wanted in a director’s role to help bring back the magic of skiing for more people and families.

“Whether visitors are strapping on boots for the very first time or chasing powder on a cold morning, I want them to feel the same spark I felt as a kid. It’s time to make the most of these mountains that we all love so much,” she said.

On Sept. 2, Vail Resorts announced the departure of Sue Decker from the board after 11 years. In July, Vail Resorts added MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle, a Park City second-home owner, to the board.

Why is Park City so pivotal in the board of directors battle?

Discontent over Vail Resorts ownership has been simmering there for years, with complaints about crowding, infrastructure and worker pay wreaking havoc during recent seasons, including a debilitating ski patrol strike.

In an interview this summer with the Vail Daily, Prince again urged Vail Resorts to sell the ski area to him so he could properly invest in the employees and the mechanical infrastructure of the mountain where he once taught skiing before launching Cloudflare.

Prince said that the shareholder activist strategy is fairly straightforward in acquiring enough stock to force a board of directors vote on the direction of the company, either by changing leadership, taking the company private, selling off individual resorts, or all three. He emphasized at the time that he was not part of any activist takeover and doesn’t own Vail Resorts stock.

“Every one of the activist firms that is sniffing around Vail, and there are lots, has called me because I’m part of the strategy,” Prince said. “If they can find me and a handful of other people at the other resorts who are willing to pay to take over the resorts, then it becomes really inexpensive for them to actually launch this campaign because they’ve basically got a guaranteed source of financing to do it.”

Oasis officials did not respond to requests for comment for that story, in which some longtime Vail residents also discussed the future of the company and the possibility of Vail Resorts being compelled to spin off individual ski areas.

Vail Resorts in July launched Epic Experience to try to improve dining, customer service and other aspects of the ski experience at its various resorts.

The post Activist investor Oasis nominates Picabo Street and others for Vail Resorts’ board of directors appeared first on Park Record.

Brieann Charlesworth’s favorite card game is not easy to win. 

Boss Monster is a dungeon-run game where players experience increasingly difficult challenges as they level up. Teamwork is eventually required, and players can tackle rounds as duos to defeat each dungeon section. 

It’s different every time.

“I bought that game on a whim,” Brieann said. “I was like, I really am hooked. … It moves fast.”

That variety is something Brieann’s life partner, Matthew Goodrich, also appreciates in his games of choice. His favorite, Betrayal at House on the Hill, is a cooperative, hidden-traitor board game. 

“Think of it as like being in a ‘Scooby-Doo’ episode,” Matthew said. 

A team of players enters a haunted house to a slew of awry situations. New rooms are unlocked as the game progresses, eventually building the entire haunted house. 

“Then eventually there’s a haunting and one of the players is revealed as the betrayer,” Matthew said. 

It becomes all-against-one. The game has 100 different scenarios, and every new play is randomized. 

“So … almost infinite replayability,” Matthew said. 

Matthew still hasn’t played every possible version. 

The couple’s love of games is part of why Brieann became the owner of one Game Grid franchise location in Saratoga Springs. There, the couple found a community dedicated to learning and playing trading card games. 

Brieann said that community was sure to be found elsewhere.

So, she decided to open a new location in Heber City with Matthew’s help. It’s set to be open to collectors, players and enthusiasts by the end of September, or as early as Wednesday. 

Matthew said there are still a few kinks to work out and plenty of store setup to do before doors open to the public. He and Brieann said they are looking forward to what the Heber City community has to offer. 

Game Grid won’t just be a store that sells board games, trading cards and the like. It will be a home base for gaming enthusiasts to play with friends or meet new ones. 

That’s what the couple’s Saratoga Springs location has become. 

“There weren’t any amenities for people to just go and enjoy an evening that didn’t involve driving out somewhere,” Brieann said. “We wanted to do a community-like center, but it’s focused on games and just making sure everybody finds an interest in a group they want to be a part of.”

Matthew said these days he and Brieann don’t have much time to play games. But that’s because the pair are putting on near-nightly events, hosting new people and those already well-versed in the gaming community. 

In a post-COVID world, Matthew said Game Grid provides an intentional place where people can hang out, be social and have a reason to leave the house. 

“It’s been met with very good will and favor,” Matthew said. “People seem to really like it.”

There are plenty of game stores in Utah, Matthew said, but their Game Grid franchise stands out. 

“I think that we have set ourselves apart as a game store,” Matthew said. “Our location seems to stand apart as being meant for more people than just the hardcore gamers.”

There’s a feel to Saratoga Springs’ Game Grid that people appreciate, Matthew said. 

“They tell us that they like being here, and that it’s a place where they can come be a part of a community,” Matthew said. “Where traditional game stores are kind of more built around the competition and being good at games.”

It’s meaningful to the couple.

“The tables are open to use, so if you have a group that wants to play a game, maybe I have a demo available and you’d like to play. That’s open for you to sit down and try it out,” Brieann said. 

Brieann said the pair have not pursued much advertising for Game Grid Heber City, but they are already receiving calls asking if specific board games are in stock. 

While Game Grid is a Utah franchise, each store is independently owned. Brieann said that system works for her. 

“What works in one Game Grid and what’s popular there may not be popular in Heber, so it allows us that flexibility to change,” Brieann said. 

She chose Heber City as the next location because it had a “similar feel” to Saratoga Springs. 

“We’ve identified it as similar, as just maybe needing that community,” Brieann said. “You have a lot of new people that have moved in. A lot of new people looking for something to do.”

Brieann and Matthew hope to strike a balance between casual and competitive. But no matter what, their main goal to foster community remains the same. 

The post Couple levels up Heber City with new Game Grid location appeared first on Park Record.

And the 2026 Myles Rademan Spirit of Hospitality Award goes to … Randy Barton!

Barton, best known as manager of the Egyptian Theatre, was honored with the Park City Chamber/Bureau’s annual award at its meeting last week. In Barton’s words, however, it’s a “recognition,” not an award.

“I don’t accept on behalf of myself, but on behalf of all the folks who love arts and culture,” Barton said.

He added that he appreciated that the award was not competitive in what can be a very competitive town.

Since moving to Park City in 1975, Barton founded the iconic late-night fast food chain Sconecutter, organized a cow ballet, hosted a drive-time radio show, saved the Egyptian Theatre from financial ruin and, most recently, was seen riding a camel through Main Street at the Miners Day parade.

“I was always involved with the Egyptian Theatre from the day that it was renamed the Egyptian in 1981,” Barton said. “I was never in charge but always there.” 

As a member of the Park City Players, Barton was involved at the theater as an actor and worked concessions at the Sundance Film Festival. 

Over the next few decades, Barton’s involvement around town ranged from television to concert promotion to radio. His TV show, “Park City Faces,” spotlighted the people and personality of Park City every weeknight live for nearly a decade. 

“It was really fun to do that show during the Olympics,” Barton said. 

For two weeks, the program filmed from Main Street instead of the usual studio, and Barton interviewed a horse. 

“I just love that we hosted the world,” Barton said, “and speaking of hospitality, we did such a marvelous job of it.”

After a stint on television, Barton moved to radio.

KPCW ran “The Local View” for four hours a day, five days a week for 20 years. During his time on the radio, Barton was known to make what he called “outlandish” statements. Outlandish, maybe. Radiantly positive, definitely. 

Barton said he would advise people to get out and learn to drive in the snow instead of being afraid of storms. During traffic jams, he’d tell listeners to embrace it, relax and enjoy the music. 

Barton was organizing a concert series in Salt Lake City in the ’90s and wanted to bring the same energy to Park City. In 1997, he started Mountain Town Stages. That evolved into Mountain Town Music, which programs, produces and fosters live music performances in the area. 

“Radio, theater, television, all kinds of at the same time as doing music and concerts. That was kind of my deal,” Barton said.

In 2009, Barton added “Saved the Egyptian Theatre” to his resume. 

“Everybody tells me, you know, ‘You saved the theater. Without you, it wouldn’t be there,’” Barton recalled. “I say, ‘Yeah, but I’m one of many, going all the way back to the 1800s, of people that would rise up and save the theater.’”

As Barton tells it, in the spring of 2009, the theater had closed and canceled all productions because it was out of money. The board of directors had in mind a schedule full of community theater programming, but Barton had a different vision. 

“I told them that was a bad decision for the community and (to) give me 90 days to show you what it should be,” he said. 

Barton luckily negotiated a contract at the beginning of the 90 days; the board tried to fire him three times during that period.

By the end of the three months, Barton had built a model of the theatre that still stands today.

“That is, something on stage every week, building a Pharaoh Club for the support of the theater and making the Egyptian the centerpiece of social life in Park City and a real gathering place,” he said. 

As Barton accepted his recognition, he proudly described the theater as “historic, authentic, intimate, genuine, social and, because of me, slightly irreverent.”

There are many opinions about what makes Park City unique. Is it the skiing, the history, the proximity to Main Street or the culture?

“(Arts and culture) has always been a part of Park City from the very beginning, and it is always what makes Park City a real town,” Barton said. “People talk about going to other ski areas, and what they love about Park City is it is real because of the dining, the arts, the culture, the history.”

If it were up to Barton, Park City would market itself as a “stationary cruise ship.”

“We have all the things that you would go on a cruise for: entertainment, shows, great food,” he said. “Base (the city) on that model. If somebody’s here, they’re going to be entertained.”

Barton is quick to share business strategies, and as a father of three, he’s well-versed in giving life advice.

“You know, I tell my kids and others, be careful with what you decide to do because you just might end up doing that and nothing else for the rest of your life,” Barton said. “I’ve done more than the arts. I’ve done business and I’m a runner. I’m a golfer. I have great joys. Best is being a parent, always.”

He enjoys what he calls “goof-off golfing,” a discipline of the sport where points aren’t counted and improvement isn’t the goal. Unlike his openness toward business matters, his favorite golf course is top secret.

Barton was recognized with a hospitality award, so why all the talk of entertaining? Entertainment and hospitality are one and the same, he said. Barton was born in Hollywood, after all.

“When you say that you’re entertaining tonight, that doesn’t have to mean that you’re dancing or on stage with a mic,” Barton said. “(When) you’re entertaining people, you’re bringing them into your home and showing them a nice time. Hosting is the same thing.”

According to Barton, entertaining and hosting go hand in hand with kindness and openness. 

“The divisiveness of the world is based on a lack of hospitality and ‘I will welcome anybody’ attitude,” he said.

As he accepted the Chamber/Bureau’s recognition, Barton reminisced about the days when he was new in town and faced with the common question: “So, how long have you been here?”

Barton said he feels like he’s on the other side of that question after 50 years in Park City. 

“People want you to talk about what makes you mad or upset, what you hate about the town,” he said. “But I love this town more every year.”

The post Perspectives on hospitality and entertainment from Randy Barton appeared first on Park Record.

Park City marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with a solemn ceremony that honored those who perished, recalled the heroism of first responders and noted the lingering health concerns of those who were there in the aftermath.

The Friday-morning ceremony, held outside the Park Avenue police station, started under overcast skies befitting the date and with a soft rain falling.

Area emergency agencies were well represented, and there were scattered members of the public in attendance. At least three members of the Park City Council — Tana Toly, Bill Ciraco and Molly Miller — were present, as was Park City Manager Adam Lenhard. Dana Williams, a former three-term mayor whose first campaign unfolded against the backdrop of Sept. 11 in the fall of 2001, was also in attendance.

The Park City Fire District brought two engines to the event, parked along the side of S.R. 224. The ladder of one of the engines, displaying a large American flag, was extended high into the air above the road.

The ceremony included protocol such as raising and lowering the American and Utah flags to half-staff outside the police station. There were moments of silence. Vaifoa Lealaitafea, a Police Department lieutenant, performed the national anthem. The event was similar to earlier ones marking Sept. 11 anniversaries. Speakers talked of never forgetting what occurred that day.

Snyderville Basin resident Scott Zink, a retired New York City Police Department sergeant who responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, was in the crowd and said afterward he was pleased with the ceremony.

“The event changed our country. It changed the world,” he said, describing that he does not want Sept. 11 to fade from memory. “If you forget history, it’s bound to repeat.”

Police Chief Wade Carpenter delivered stirring remarks, speaking to the crowd about the heroism that day.

“Twenty-five years ago, on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, our nation was shaken to its core. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were acts of unimaginable cruelty, yet they revealed extraordinary courage and resilience of the American spirit,” he said.

Carpenter added: “In New York City, the towers burned and the streets filled with smoke and fear. Hundreds of firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel ran toward danger. They climbed the stairwells in the twin towers guided only by the duty of unshakable commitment to save lives. Many never made it back. Their sacrifice is etched in history of our nation and in the hearts of every American who witnessed their selfless bravery.”

He spoke about the illnesses some first responders at the scene have suffered in the years since Sept. 11, saying there are frequent death notifications filed involving people who suffered illnesses afterward.

“We also honor the citizens lost, families left behind and spouses, children and parents — the loved ones — who will forever be changed. Their strength over the last 25 years is a continuation of the courage we saw that day,” Carpenter said.

The police chief recalled Americans coming together after the attacks.

“As the years continue to pass, fewer people will have personal memory of that day. That makes our responsibility to remember all the greater. We owe the people that lost their lives. We owe the first responders who gave everything. And we owe the generations to come after us,” Carpenter said. “So, today, we take a moment to remember. We remember the lives lost. We remember the families who carry this loss. We remember the first responders who ran toward danger. We remember the strength we found in one another. We remember a nation came together in grief. We remember the men and women who answered the call to serve our country in the years to follow. Let us teach the next generation the stories of these heroes so that their courage echoes far beyond our time.”

The post Park City marks 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with solemn ceremony appeared first on Park Record.

Colder mornings and changing leaves don’t just signal the start of autumn in Park City. It also means it’s time for the Mountain Beer Festival at Deer Valley Resort.

But Director of Beverage Josh Hockman has been thinking about the festival, set for Sept. 18-20, all year long.

It’s his baby, an event he dreamed up and brought to life five years ago as a festival that not only brings beer lovers to beautiful Park City, but puts them in front of the brewers themselves.

“It was to be a two-way street for the guests or the attendees that are coming,” Hockman said. “Take the time. Like, ‘What hops did you use? Why are you proud of this? Where did the name Pie Hole come from?’” 

It was also created with an emphasis on Utah beers to reflect the resort’s values in supporting local businesses, said Hockman.

“All of our draft towers at Deer Valley have supported local Utah breweries … coming up on 30 years now,” he said. “We don’t want the Budweisers of the world and the White Claws of the world. They’ve got their place, but it’s not on our property.”

Nothing major is changing for this fifth iteration, Hockman said. The “meat and potatoes” of the festival should be familiar to returning attendees.

As in years past, festivalgoers park at Snow Park and ride the Silver Lake Express chairlift to the event at mid mountain on Silver Lake lawn. It’s family-friendly with a kids area that has face painting, balloon animals, a sand pit and the Deer Valley Creamery ice cream truck.

Guests over 21 can purchase taster tokens, the required currency to sample the breweries’ 4-ounce beer pours. So far, there are 20 confirmed breweries or cideries from across the state, and each is bringing four drink options — full-strength beers are very much included.

“I didn’t want the stigma of the festival to be like, ‘Oh, a Utah Beer Fest, and it’s only 5% beers,’” he said. “When folks … from around the world come, we need to be putting our best foot forward, or at least allowing the breweries to put their best foot forward because they’re the ones in the spotlight.”

With at least 80 different options, Hockman said there should be something for everyone. The event is beer-centric, of course, with plenty of brews ranging from pilsner to IPA. But there will also be Utah-made seltzers, a build-your-own-shandy concept from Moab Brewery, hard ciders, a mead from Etta Place and even two wines by Mountain West Cider’s winery business, MWCellars. 

“There’s definitely going to be plenty of beer, but then there’s also going to be those gluten-free options and those more fruit-forward options for folks,” Hockman said. 

New this summer is a change to the Deer Valley Pilsner, sold as the resort’s house beer. To start, it was made in partnership with Proper Brewing Co., which is based in Salt Lake City. 

This May, Hockman brought the beer even closer to home. Offset Bier, which originally opened in the Iron Horse district and now operates out of a bigger space near Quinn’s Junction, is the pilsner’s new brewer. Owner and beermaster Conor Brown will be at the festival and pouring samples for attendees to try.

“I think he is the best beer maker in the state of Utah, and he now has the capacity in his new location to make a crap load of beer,” said Hockman of the new partnership.

A few things have grown, like the number of retail vendors for people to peruse, and plans for a hammock lounge, but the biggest effort has gone into entertainment, Hockman said. Live music has always been part of the festival, but this year they’re bringing in two headliners. Rising Florida singer-songwriter Dylan Cotrone, who is currently touring with Sublime, will perform on Saturday, and Philadelphia American rock band G. Love & Special Sauce will headline Sunday.

“He was like my generation’s hipster in the late ’90s, early 2000s … brings a cool, funky vibe,” said Hockman about G. Love. “He does some stuff solo, but the big draw is when he gets with his guy Special Sauce, and they’re a duo. So we’ve got the creme de la creme of those guys on day two.”

As always, the main goal is to showcase the talent of Utah brewers, said Hockman.

“There are folks that are down to the nitty-gritty. Like, this is a passion project. I love it. There is no corner cut,” he said. 

Last year the festival grew by a day with the addition of a Brewmaster Dinner. Held the Friday evening before the weekend event, the five-course dinner pairs a beer from fan-favorite brewers with the creativity of the resort culinary team. 

This year, the dinner will be from 6-9 p.m. on Sept. 18. It features Offset Bier, Chappell Brewing, Moab Brewery, Roosters and Second Summit Cider, the five who won last year’s fan vote, said Hockman. Deer Valley’s pilsner by Offset Bier will be used as the toast beer. To welcome guests, Dendric Estate will serve its Dry Cut cider. Tickets are $180 per person.

“This is the one event where I get to actually choose what I want to offer. So I selfishly pick (beers) from the breweries,” Hockman said. “We want to up the decor in that room so it feels like when you walk in, it feels like a German pavilion at Oktoberfest.”

On Saturday and Sunday, when festivities will run from noon to 5 p.m., Hockman can be spotted in his Tyrolean or Bavarian hat, a felt hat decorated with beer festival pins he’s collected from around the world.

The confirmed participating breweries:

• Epic Brewing Company
• Etta Place Cidery & Taproom
• Uinta Brewing Company
• SaltFire Brewing Co.
• Offset Bier Co.
• Chappell Brewing
• Bohemian Brewery
• Heber Valley Brewing Company
• Rabbit’s Foot Brewing
• Bewilder Brewing Co.
• Talisman Brewing Co.
• Moab Brewery
• Mountain West Cider
• UTOG Brewing
• Templin Family Brewing
• Second Summit Cider Co.
• Salt Flats Brewing Co.
• Roosters Brewing Co.
• RoHa Brewing Project

Festival pricing is tiered so people can customize their experience: a $20 non-drinker package gets access to the event, but no drink tokens can be purchased. General admission alone is $45. The $70 Session Package includes admission and three taster tokens, while the $90 Reserve Package has five tokens and a commemorative mug. The $155 Imperial Package includes eight tokens, a mug, a festival T-shirt and VIP barbecue access.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit deervalley.com/things-to-do/activities/mountain-beer-festival.

The post Fifth annual festival celebrates Utah beer in the mountains of Deer Valley appeared first on Park Record.

Summit and Wasatch counties are Utah’s most expensive housing markets, according to a new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. 

Utah ranks as the 10th most expensive state in the nation for single-family homes, with a median sales price of $559,900. Summit and Wasatch counties surpassed that number dramatically, with median sales prices of $2.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively, in the first quarter of 2026. 

Summit County saw a 5% decrease in median single-family home sales price from the first quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026. Wasatch County, however, saw a 21.8% increase in the same time period. 

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute reported that homeownership has fallen to “near historical lows,” though Utah’s homeownership rate continues to exceed the national average. In 2025, 68.2% of Utah households owned their home compared to 69.9% a decade ago. 

The report indicates that Utah’s housing demand will likely persist with the state’s growing population. Utah will need approximately 61,500 new owner and renter units targeting households ages 35 and younger, about 120,000 units for those aged 35 to 64 and another 98,000 for those 65 and older. 

Summit County Economic Development Director Jeff Jones said he’s not surprised by findings in the Policy Institute’s Report. 

In terms of homeownership, Jones said Summit County has significant challenges. 

“Different groups need different kinds of housing,” Jones said. 

Workforce populations and seniors have varying needs, Jones said, but there are also transitional and emergency housing needs. He cited the Cline Dahle project and others as examples of development that can help.

Cline Dahle is Columbus Pacific Development’s vision for affordable housing on about 30 acres of land in Jeremy Ranch. It’s a public-private partnership with the county, and developers pitched deed-restricted projects with a mix of units between 0% and 150% of the AMI, or area median income. 

Research for the project began in 2024, and implementation was scheduled for June 2025. 

“There’s no single solution that will move the needle without continued partnership,” Jones said. 

The Policy Institute findings are in line with research Jones has collected over the years.

Jones also revealed a breakdown of Summit County’s median housing prices by zip code. Park City saw a median housing price of $3.3 million in August 2026. Echo and Henefer had the lowest median housing prices in the county at $360,000 and $699,950, respectively. 

For every unit size, the maximum affordable rent reaches market parity at a lower AMI level than the maximum affordable sale price, according to Jones’ findings. 

The Policy Institute found 486 permitted residential units in Summit County and 959 in Wasatch County.

Jeffrey Bradshaw is the executive director of the Wasatch County Housing Authority, which supports Wasatch County residents looking to purchase a home. The group created a down-payment assistance fund to help qualified homebuyers obtain housing and supports nonprofit organizations working to help citizens afford housing. 

Like Jones, Bradshaw said the Policy Institute findings seemed in line with what he is seeing on the ground in Wasatch County. 

“It’s real expensive to build on the Wasatch Back, and folks can’t afford to buy homes,” Bradshaw said. 

He said there has been a sharp decrease in the number of down-payment assistance loans issued by the Wasatch County Housing Authority. Those loans sit at 2% interest for about 30 years. Bradshaw said it’s a good deal, but lately, it hasn’t been enough. 

“We haven’t made hardly any lately because the cost of housing is so high that down-payment assistance loans aren’t enough to help out,” Bradshaw said. 

To be specific, Bradshaw said that means just one over the past month. Those loans top out at about $30,000. With that one loan, Bradshaw said the board made an exception to grant the assistance to a couple making just over 80% of the area median income. 

The median household income in Summit County is $138,114, and in Wasatch County it’s $117,608. To afford a median-priced home with a 10% down payment, households in Summit County need an annual income of $427,300, and those in Wasatch need $304,900. 

But Bradshaw has not given up hope because there are programs that help, including rent-to-own opportunities and partnerships with groups like the Mountainlands Community Housing Trust. 

That organization gives applicants the opportunity to purchase deed-restricted homes. Buyers also put in sweat equity, helping to build the homes they will eventually own. 

He said the Wasatch County Housing Authority is also looking to hire a full-time executive director (Bradshaw is not full-time) who can implement new homebuyer assistance programs. 

Partnerships, Bradshaw said, are crucial. That’s especially true when the county or organizations like the Wasatch County Housing Authority work with developers. 

“The biggest challenge is being able to get them built somewhat affordable without it being too big of a subsidy,” Bradshaw said. “That’s the tough part.”

Building new homes in Wasatch County is a balancing act, Bradshaw said. 

“Developers realize they have to participate in it, but they’re out to make a living, too,” Bradshaw said. 

Despite rising costs and population, Bradshaw said organizations that help homebuyers in Wasatch County are heading in the right direction. 

“We’re here to try to help folks find places to live that they can afford,” Bradshaw said.

The post High prices are driving low homeownership, but Summit, Wasatch officials see paths forward appeared first on Park Record.

Temple Har Shalom’s sign on S.R. 224 was vandalized over the weekend in what synagogue leaders are calling an antisemitic attack days before the Jewish community’s most important holidays.

Rabbi Jeff Dreifus said a synagogue administrator noticed the property damage on Monday and speculated the incident happened late Saturday night or Sunday. He said the sign’s letters had been ripped off and the Star of David was destroyed.

“It’s very disheartening because Jews have been part of Park City’s history and Park City’s community for so long and are so active in making this community better,” Dreifus said. “We call our synagogue our Jewish home in the mountains. For your home to be defaced by someone who clearly wants us not to feel comfortable and not feel safe in this community, it’s really sad.”

Temple Har Shalom President June K. Volk said the incident was additionally upsetting because it happened before Rosh Hashanah, one of the Jewish faith’s most important holidays. But the start of the High Holy Days, which begins with Rosh Hashanah on Friday night and will culminate with Yom Kippur toward the end of September, is also providing comfort in the wake of the vandalism.

“During these days, we do a lot of introspection, reflection, and we think about ways to make our world stronger and better,” Volk said. “We call that concept ‘tikkun olam,’ and that means ‘repairing the world.’ We look not only inward, but outward to do better for the coming year.”

Dreifus said the vandalism is “unfortunately not unexpected or surprising” considering the current political environment in the United States and the rise of anti-semitic conflicts over the past few years. His parents’ synagogue in Michigan, his cousin’s synagogue in Mississippi and his hometown synagogue in Tennessee have all been threatened with violence, which Dreifus said showcases the pervasive intimidation the Jewish faith is experiencing.

“This act was done by a person who doesn’t want us to feel safe in this community, but the Jewish faith and Jewish people are a people of joy and of finding meaning in life and of making the world a better place,” Dreifus said. “We’re not going to let this person’s act intimidate us or detract from our joy, especially in this season of the Jewish High Holy Days.”

Summit County Sheriff’s Office deputies are present for every synagogue event, and the building itself has cameras and security measures in place, Dreifus said. He emphasized Temple Har Shalom’s commitment to keeping the synagogue and its visitors safe, adding that more cameras will be installed to monitor the sign when it’s replaced.

“We have received so much support, and I think it’s important to keep that perspective,” Dreifus said. “Maybe there are a small few who want us to feel intimidated, but the vast majority of the people in Park City and the people in America and the people around the world are good neighbors and good friends and have love in their hearts. … We have a vibrant Jewish community, and we should be proud of that.”

Sgt. Skyler Talbot with the Sheriff’s Office said the department is investigating the vandalism, but it’s too early in the process to determine if there will be hate crime enhancements to any potential charges.

“Summit County is better than this,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Friday morning. “Intentionally damaging another person’s property is unacceptable, and targeting an individual or group because of their religion makes the conduct even more concerning. Every member of our community should feel safe and respected. The Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate acts of intimidation, harassment or discrimination directed at members of our community.”

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Heber City resident and hopeful political newcomer Robert Duncan McNeill is stepping in as the Democratic candidate for Wasatch County Council at-large Seat A. 

McNeill, a Heber City resident, filed his intent to run on Sept. 1, one day after the party’s former nominee, Patrick Saucier, withdrew from the race. Having moved to Heber City in 2020, McNeill said he is confident he has what it takes to protect the “small town feel” of the Heber Valley and Wasatch County.

After all, McNeill said he wants to protect his “forever home.”

An actor who studied theater at The Juilliard School in New York City, McNeill said he is well versed in taking on new roles. That includes not only acting but also directing and producing. 

McNeill is best known for his role as Lt. Tom Paris in “Star Trek: Voyager,” a television series that aired in 1995. After that, McNeill went behind the camera. He’s directed around 200 television episodes and has been a producer on around five times that many. 

“The thing I love about television is the speed of it and the teamwork of it,” McNeill said. “There’s never enough time. There’s never enough money. You’re always fighting unexpected problems.”

Learning to work with available resources and anticipating surprises are some aspects of the job McNeill enjoys. He said those skills are easily transferable to what’s required for the county councilor occupying Seat A.

“I got a reputation for being someone who was very responsible and thinking outside of the box,” McNeill said. “I was brought in to kind of get things back on track to a number of shows as a producer.”

New and creative solutions are among his talents, he said. McNeill wants to utilize that work ethic as a county councilor. If elected, McNeill said he would focus on what he considers the main issues in Wasatch County: growth, maintaining the county’s rural feel and accountability. 

“The explosion of growth in Wasatch County, I think that is the No. 1 issue. The community and quality of life,” McNeill said. “I think community is a big part of it.”

Accountability is also top off the list. He said these days, he thinks the public wants representatives at the county level “representing them and not just special interests.”

“I think everyone wants their voices heard,” McNeill said. 

Making county processes more transparent is crucial for McNeill, who said the County Council has consistently shown its cards in that regard. 

“I think there’s a lot of good things that are happening at the council level, but I think it can be even better,” McNeill said. 

For example, he proposed giving community members more ways to engage beyond public comment periods. 

“There should be a response process that happens for some of these major development issues that has some time for people to respond,” McNeill said. “If we wanted to create a process for that, I think that would be great.”

McNeill admitted his biggest challenge will be never having held an elected position before. He would be a “freshman,” he said, albeit an enthusiastic one. But McNeill didn’t think that was such a bad thing.

“My biggest strength is, I think, bringing in some fresh voices,” he said. “I think, as a Democrat, I really value everyone’s voice.”

Whether someone has lived in Wasatch County for generations, is new or is looking to build — McNeill said everyone should have an equal say. 

“When everyone is heard, and things are transparent, I think that’s a strength,” McNeill said. 

McNeill will face Republican Rachel Kahler for at-large Seat A in the general election. There are also write-in candidates: Shawn Taylor and Jami Hewlett. 

The voter registration deadline is Oct. 23, and same-day registration is available on Election Day, Nov. 3. Regular general election ballots will be mailed Oct. 13, and all ballots must be in the possession of the Wasatch County Clerk-Auditor’s Office by 8 p.m. on election night.

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In 2022, Park City was amid a debate about a development proposal in the area of Quinn’s Junction known as Studio Crossing.

The project, when it was under review at the Marsac Building and later approved, had a large number of housing units set aside for the workforce. It was a proposal that was seen as advancing Park City leaders’ efforts to create housing options for rank-and-file workers who would otherwise be priced out of the community’s resort-driven real estate and rental markets.

Jennifer Wesselhoff, the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber/Bureau, was one of the figures who provided input to the Park City Planning Commission during the Studio Crossing discussions. Her written input was broad in nature and not exclusively centered on Studio Crossing, but it was nonetheless an impassioned argument in favor of workforce housing.

“The high price of Park City housing is woven into every aspect of our lives to harmful effect, pricing out service workers and up-and-coming Parkites, and our seniors, whose options have been drastically reduced,” Wesselhoff said in the submittal, written on Chamber/Bureau letterhead.

She added: “Businesses’ ability to hire and retain employees is increasingly negatively impacted by the lack of affordable housing,” and workers in Park City “often have no choice but to commute long distances to find housing.”

Four years later, the Chamber/Bureau recently provided another round of input about a different development proposal, this one involving the Park City municipal government as part of a partnership with a Chicago-area firm.

The project is proposed on municipal acreage stretching inward from the southwest corner of the intersection of Bonanza Drive and Kearns Boulevard. It is designed with 88 units of income-restricted rentals as well as rentals without income restrictions and other elements. Wesselhoff signed the correspondence endorsing the proposal on behalf of the Chamber/Bureau board of directors amid the ongoing Planning Commission review.

“Without workforce housing, Park City will become less authentic, potentially losing our community character, losing the grit and tenacity that enabled us to evolve from a mining town to the vibrant recreational community we are now,” it said.

The Chamber/Bureau is a highly influential institution in the tourism industry, marketing Park City nationally and internationally as a year-round destination. It works to attract an array of visitors — skiers, conventioneers, arts enthusiasts, athletes and others. The organization, though, has sometimes been seen as narrowly focused on tourism generation at the expense of issues commonplace to the workforce in that sector. Boosting visitation has long been the overarching role of the Chamber/Bureau, but Wesselhoff has in some ways seemed to advocate for the workforce that is critical to the functioning of many aspects of the tourism industry.

“The Chamber exists to advocate for a healthy local economy and a thriving community, and you can’t have either without a workforce that can afford to live here. When we advocate, we’re representing the businesses that are struggling to hire and retain employees — the restaurants, the hotels, the shops, the ski instructors, the healthcare workers. Their voices don’t always make it into the public comment record, because they’re working. So part of our role is to make sure decision-makers hear from the business community,” Wesselhoff said in a prepared response to a Park Record inquiry about the Chamber/Bureau input regarding housing.

Wesselhoff said the Chamber/Bureau sometimes acts on topics aligning with the organization’s legislative policy agenda.

“In other cases, we take specific issues to the Board and get their direct feedback, and (ultimately) they can decide to take a position. For Bonanza Park, the item was discussed at a board meeting and it was voted to take a position,” Wesselhoff said. “The Board looked at the location — near transit, schools, grocery stores, a central intersection. They considered the open space commitment, which is nearly 70% of the site and considered the history of this parcel specifically: it was purchased with transient room tax dollars, with a commitment to create something that benefits both visitors and the community. So, our statement reflects all of that.”

Wesselhoff, meanwhile, addressed what she sees as the success of the Chamber/Bureau efforts in support of housing.

“I think we’ve been effective at making the case clearly, and I’m proud of that. What’s harder — and this is true for everyone in this conversation, not just the Chamber — is shifting the broader community dynamic around housing,” she said. “Park City has seen project after project face intense neighborhood opposition. I think there’s genuine community support for affordable housing in the abstract. The challenge is translating that support into specific projects at specific locations. That’s a longer conversation, and we’re committed to being part of it.”

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