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Alta nonprofit ACE says it plans to buy Our Lady of the Snows community center
Summary
Alta Community Enrichment (ACE) told the Alta Town Council it is negotiating to buy Our Lady of the Snows Community Center from the Catholic diocese and would keep the building available for community events while seeking funding for upkeep and modest upgrades.
Sarah Gitz, executive director of Alta Community Enrichment (ACE), told the Alta Town Council on Feb. 12 that ACE is in preliminary talks with the Diocese of Salt Lake City to buy Our Lady of the Snows Community Center.
“Half of it was community money, half diocese money,” Gitz said, describing the building’s origins and ACE’s plan to keep the facility available for weddings, meetings and community events while continuing its current programming.
Gitz said ACE has a potential funder and has been working with the diocese, real estate lawyers and appraisers. She said ACE intends to follow permit limits and Forest Service rules tied to the building’s site and expects to conduct capital campaigns and use an existing ACE endowment if needed to maintain services and staff.
Why it matters: the building has functioned as both a chapel and a community center since the 1990s, Gitz said, and ACE’s board considers owning the property the best way to keep it in the community. If ACE becomes the owner, Gitz said the center would continue to be rented for events and used as a community gathering space.
Council members asked about timing, operations and continuity of services. Gitz said the diocese had informed potential tenants that it intends to terminate its operations at the building on May 31 and that ACE hopes for a “quick yet gentle process” to complete any purchase. She said ACE’s current staff would likely shift to the building and that ACE plans an orderly transition and a capital campaign after a purchase.
Council member John asked how ownership would affect ACE’s standing with the town; Gitz replied that owning the building would place ACE “in a good position” relative to the town by giving ACE more control over the property and the relationship with local government.
Gitz said ACE hopes to retain the center’s historic name but that the diocese must confirm rights around the name. She invited the public to a community meeting and said ACE will continue talks with the diocese and other stakeholders.
Ending: Gitz said ACE believes it is the right steward for the center and will continue to update the council as negotiations and approvals proceed.
