For at least a couple of decades, groups of enterprising Provo area Re have looked to the mounto the east as a site for a year-around recreation resort. Scenic grandeur, the skirecreatlon potential, expanding population, and the urge imder the ree enteailorlse system for a business f by tou sm as well as home patronage – these are some of the factors which have motivated promoters and planners. Now it appears the development on the mountain – and at a base site in northeast Provo near Utah State Hospital – are on the ahold of reality. Indeed, the offices of Wlldemess Associates, sponsors of the Heritage Mountain project, are buzzhlig with activity in converted b dings at the base site. Nearly 50 executives, planners and designers – some with related resort experience in the United States an abroad – are doing survey, research, and paper work preliminary to construct on. Late last year, Wlldemess Associates cleared three significant hurdles: (1) Obtained first phase funding from Abacus Cities Inc., a Delaware cogriporation with head offices in C gary, Canada; (2) received from the Ulnta National Forest a permit for use of 4000 acres to couple with some private lands Wlldemess purchased; (3) a Salt Lake legal firm commissloned by Provo City, endorsed legality of steps taken to date by the city, clearinlgl the way for consldera lon of b ding permits. Essentially, the “first phase” will involve ouslngsnd “cultural vlllages” at the se slte, the funlcular (cable railroad) to a summit vlllage at Marie Flat, and gondolas connectlngIf our “vlllage sltes” where chair ‘ is wlll begin and end. The path in bringing the project to this point hasn’t been smooth. The orlglnal group which moneercd the resort idea back in e fIftles encountered apathy, funding problems and other discouragements. That effort, under the banner of “Seven Mountaln,” finally lost momentum and disbanded. Later another group of Provoans lntcrested Louis Crandall, then an advertising executive in Phoenix, in the proposed development. He moved here and organised Four Seasons lnc. which pursued the project with the sulrport of businesscommu ty interests. Mr. Crandall ultimately interested Gary Williamson of Salt Lake City in heading the movement. He, as president of Wilderness Associates, and his coworkers have waged a six-year battle to win federal, state, and citghapproval. ey have fought off eoipposition by environment-mind people ana otners wrrn one concern or another, moved through some 30 hearings, and met regulations laid down y public offlclals. One of the fortunate breaks Wlldemess received was an assist from Provo City and the State in making land available for the base s e. It ls significant that the Forest Service, after detailed studies, has approved use permits for the ski-recreation resort under three different concepts – Seven Mountain, Four Seasons, and now Wlldemess Associates – the latter after it had moved through environmental impact procedures regulred by EPA. o be sure, challenges and public concerns remain although matters have crystalized a great deal in the process of heagngs and regulations impos . A Herald concern has been the apprehension that If “outside” money builds the project, “outslders” mlght dictate the standards and operating patterns. But Wilderness Associates have pledged that planning and control will be local. Abacus Cltles Inc. wants it that way, they say. Another healthy sign: To a large extent the Heritage Monmtaln planning ls familyandculture oriented; and Wil emess people say numerous of the egjloyees will be senior citizens a college students of the area. Environment-wise, forest regulations are tied to the use permit, and Provo City is in a position to exercise control through building permit requirements. e urge these agencies to maintain careful control through their established rules. Undoubtedly the considerable opposltlon to the project has helped achieve more responsible planning and better use of public resources involved. But we believe it’s time now for people to recognize that “Heritage Mountaln” will be a reality a fact of lIfe, barrlrmssome unforeseen , that future input ou tto oriented, not to “opposlng” the project, but to objectively offering ideas that will contrlbute to a sound, prudent, development of which everyone can be proud.