Final Winter Park Candidates Announced

Denver, CO, Sept. 27, 2001–The Denver Mayor’s office recently announced it had narrowed the field of candidates to become partners in helping run Winter Park Resort to East-West Partners, Inc., and Intrawest Corporation. The field was trimmed from six companies who had answered a Request for Qualifications in the city’s search for a partner to help develop and run the ski operation. The six groups included the final two as well as Okemo Mountain Resort, Vt., Powdr Corp., Hines Resorts and Grand Elk Partners.

“The committee felt that both East-West Partners and Intrawest have the greatest capability of meeting the cityís needs,” said J. Wallace Wortham, chairman of the Winter Park Joint Venture Committee. Intrawest and East-West Partners now have until November 9 to submit final proposals. The search committee is then expected to pick a final candidate in mid December to engage in final negotiations for a management partnership.

The plan is to bring the resort up to snuff with other, more competitive privately owned resorts. It has been estimated that the resort needs an infusion of $61 million to make it a viable player for market share.