June 30, 2025
More than a dozen local leaders gathered virtually on Monday for the first meeting of the Host Communities Committee for the Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games.
It’s the beginning of what will mark nearly nine years of collaboration as communities across the state work together to showcase Utah as we prepare to welcome the world.
“From the alpine slopes of Snowbasin to the Nordic tracks at Soldier Hollow, from the skating ice in Provo to the halfpipe in Park City—this is a Games built on shared leadership just as much as it is shared terrain,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, committee chair. “The decisions we make together will shape the success of the Games themselves. But they’ll also shape what kind of legacy we leave behind once the last medal has been awarded.”
During Monday’s meeting, the group made introductions and discussed the establishment of the committee’s charter. The committee also discussed current planning efforts and future community engagement opportunities. It’s anticipated that the committee will develop collective short-, medium- and long-term goals, including municipal requests to the state legislature and broader community engagement plans to celebrate the Games.
“This committee lets us move beyond venues and timelines to focus on the opportunities this moment creates for our communities,” said Park City Mayor and vice chair Nann Worel. “We’re not just preparing to host the world for two and a half weeks in 2034—we’re working together to ensure these Games leave a meaningful and lasting legacy, from State Street to our Main Streets.”
The Host Communities Committee will meet as needed, with the co-chairs providing updates to the Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.
“We are fortunate to have great city leaders across all of our host venue communities,” said Colin Hilton, president and CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, who is leading venue planning for the 2034 Winter Games. “They will provide strong direction for their respective cities and towns, working together with our organizing committee to produce not only a great event in 2034, but a positive lasting legacy for their communities.”
- Committee members include:
- Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall (chair)
- Park City Mayor Nann Worel (vice chair)
- Heber City Mayor Heidi Franco
- Kearns Mayor Kelly Bush
- Midway Mayor Celeste Johnson
- Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski
- Provo City Mayor Michelle Kaufusi
- Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson
- Summit County Council Member Canice Harte
- Wasatch County Council Member Mark Nelson
- Weber County Commissioner Jim Harvey
- West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang
- Brad Parry, Vice Chairman of the Northwest Band of the Shoshone
- Colin Hilton, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation
- Haley Batten, Current Olympian
- Lisa Valiant, Salt Lake City-UT 2034