Olympic venues undergoing phased reopening with priority on safety

The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation is executing a phased reopening of its facilities to prioritize the safety and health of its guests, staff, athletes and the communities that house the venues, the organization said in a press statement. Officials of the foundation cited the values found in athletes that use its facilities in its approach to reopening: “perseverance, flexibility, safety, cooperation, teamwork and rising to meet and exceed challenges.”

COVID-19 has presented unique circumstances and considerations for Utah Olympic Park, Utah Olympic Oval and Soldier Hollow Nordic Center due to differing sports, activities, layouts and locations, the foundation said. It has asked the general managers and staff of each venue to devise plans of action in partnership with local county health departments on which programs, activities and sports can be safely and optimally reopened.

Soldier Hollow Nordic Center has reopened partially with mountain e-bike rentals with equipment sanitized after each patron. Utah Olympic Park opened partially May 26 with access to the Alf Engen Ski Museum and Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. Admission to the museums is free and both will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The park’s employees will be sanitizing high-touch points frequently, wearing masks and maintaining distance from guests. Visitors are required to wear a face mask in the museums and are highly recommended to wear one throughout the venue, are asked to maintain six feet of distance from those outside their household, and to be mindful of washing and sanitizing their hands frequently.

The Utah Olympic Oval is open to U.S. Speedskating athlete training and is working to offer modified freestyle figure skating, hockey and curling sessions in the coming weeks. Athletes are distancing from one another while training and staff are following mask-wearing requirements and sanitizing protocol.