$5 million donation will help expand Utah Olympic Park

The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation has made an incredible donation of $5 million to assist in the second phase of the Utah Olympic Park’s West Peak expansion project. The announcement was made during the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation’s annual Anti-Gala fundraiser by Foundation Chairman and CEO Spencer F. Eccles.

The donation will allow the park to host multiple winter sport disciplines if Utah is chosen to host the Games in either 2030 or 2034.

Part of the expansion will include an overhaul of the current terrain on the alpine and freestyle training areas and the grounds where they are located. It will allow the opportunity for athletes to train at night as well as during the day.

“Our investment in this project is aimed at expanding opportunities for Utah’s youth to pursue interests in winter sports and to build a strong future for winter sport training in our state as we prepare to host another Olympic Winter Games,” Eccles said in a prepared statement. “Whether kids develop a love for skiing, snowboarding, or winter sports they’ll enjoy for a lifetime, or have the talent and determination to become future Olympians, our grant is an investment in Utah’s future.”

The entire expansion project is not only intended to increase interest in winter sports amongst youths, but it is also trying to thin the crowds at ski resorts by giving serious winter sport athletes another facility to train at. The facility plans to be the home training facility for winter sport athletes regardless of talent level.

Phase one of the project, which cost $4.75 million to complete, was opened in 2019 and included an improved intermediate hill with six alpine and freestyle components to the park. Since its completion, roughly 1,500 athletes have trained at the facility in two short years.

Phase two is slated to begin before the summer comes to a close. The $17.5 million project will develop 25 acres with a focus on two main trails for giant slalom and mogul skiing as well as a new chairlift, snowmaking machines and lights.

Colin Hilton, the president and CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, shared his appreciation for the gift. “We’re excited to be able to salute the Eccles Foundation for its generosity during the week of Spence’s 88th birthday,” he said in a statement. “What an incredible ‘birthday gift’ he is giving our state … one that will benefit winter sport in Utah for generations.”

Spencer Eccles was chairman and chief executive officer of First Security Corporation of Salt Lake City before it was sold to Wells Fargo in 2000, becoming the largest banking organization in the Mountain West. Eccles has been one of the most influential individuals in Utah donating to many organizations around the West. His philanthropy has been matched by few and his various foundations have been pivotal in projects with a strong focus on athletics.

This particular project will allow the U.S. to produce stellar winter sport athletes who can hopefully represent the United States on the podium in future Winter Olympics around the world.