Rhonda Sideris receives award for community support!

Park City locals gathered together Wednesday May 9, 2012, to view “Strength in Numbers,” a mountain biking film presented by Anthill Films and to recognize local Park City community members and organizations for their help and support in making Park City the first and only International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Gold Level Ride Center® in the world.

Rhonda Sideris, Park City Lodging, Inc. President, received a custom engraved Gold Level Ride Center® Plaque for her continued support and involvement with the mountain biking community.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by my peers and the community for the efforts put forth to make Park City a premier mountain biking destination that myself and many others have supported over the years,” said Sideris. “A special thanks to my staff at Park City Lodging, Inc. Without them helping me implement the vision, it wouldn’t have happened.”

Back in the late 1980s, Park City considered banning skateboarding and biking on Main Street and consisted of only 14 miles of damaged trails. Then in the 90s, people began to open their land for recreational use and volunteers began building the trails.

Today, Park City boasts over 350 miles of trails, ranging in elevation from roughly 7,000 ft. to 10,000 ft. with a variety of terrain for any ability level or any style of riding. Each Park City Resort – Deer Valley, Park City Mountain and Canyons – offers lift-served mountain biking options as well.

Due to continued dedication and support over the last 10 years, IMBA designated Park City as the first and only Gold Ride Center® in Nov. 2011, making it the model for all IMBA Ride Center Programs. According to IMBA’s website, The Ride Center® designation represents IMBA’s Model Trail recognition for large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider. The IMBA staff selects candidates for Ride Centers recognition on an invitation-only basis, and Park City received a score of 98 points out of 100 over a two-year process.

In April 2012, Park City Lodging, Inc. became a Corporate Member and an official Destination Partner of IMBA, which is a non-profit educational association whose mission is to create, enhance and preserve great mountain biking experiences. As an IMBA member, Park City Lodging, Inc. joined a community of over 80,000 mountain biking enthusiasts.

“It has been a long journey and I have enjoyed watching Park City transform over the last 20 years, said Sideris. “I am excited to see where our new Gold Level Ride status will take us in the future.”

Other organizations and individuals who were recognized for their support at the event included: Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort, John O’Connell from The Colony, Canyons, Park City Municipal Corporation, Summit County, Park City Chamber Bureau, Snyderville Basin, White Pine Touring, Cole Sport, Jans, Summit Land Conservancy, Jan Wilking, Utah Open Land, members of Park City’s Mountain Trails Foundation, among several others.

Click here to view a video from the event!

The post Rhonda Sideris receives award for community support! appeared first on Park City Lodging.

Published on Friday, May 18, 2012