Construction is underway throughout the Military Recreation Facility project area in Wasatch County, a large-scale development designed to provide year-round recreation and affordable housing for military members and local residents. The project, which includes the recently opened Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, is part of a larger master-planned effort to transform the Jordanelle Reservoir area into a premier destination for skiing, boating, and community investment.
A Legacy of Military Recreation
The current development builds upon a long history of military-related land use in the region. A small, military-owned Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) ski lodge consisting of only seven units operated near Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, Utah, before it was closed in the late 1990s to prepare for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Following that closure, the Air Force sought to expand its facilities, leading to 2001 federal legislation that granted the Air Force a 26-acre parcel in Park City, known as the Red Maple parcel, to construct a new MWR facility or trade for equivalent property.
Strategic Regional Partnerships
The modern project emerged from a strategic partnership between the Military Industrial Authority (MIDA), Wasatch County, and the Air Force. While the Air Force sought a new location, Wasatch County was already executing a 40-year-old master plan to develop 4,700 acres surrounding the Jordanelle Reservoir. This resulted in a three-way partnership where 14.5 acres were donated by landowner and developer EX Utah Development LLC (Extell) to host the MWR facility, aligning the military's needs with the county's vision for the area.
The Grand Hyatt Deer Valley
A major milestone for the project was reached in November of 2024 with the opening of the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley. The 381-room conference hotel includes 100 Salute to Service rooms offered at preferred rates for active duty, retired, Reserve, or National Guard members, as well as Disabled Veterans and Department of Defense personnel. To support military guests, the hotel provides access to a dedicated concierge space named North Star and offers discounted day lift tickets to Deer Valley Resort for up to 75 percent off the window rate. Guests also receive discounts on parking, spa services, food and beverage—excluding alcohol—and ski rentals.
Housing and Economic Impact
Beyond hospitality, MIDA is addressing local housing needs through targeted investments. In 2024, MIDA purchased 42 units intended for moderate-income rental housing, with priority given to military members, municipal government employees, teachers, and emergency service providers. MIDA is also working with Extell to plan for hundreds more affordable homes in the area. These efforts are part of a broader economic strategy where every $1 of public investment is anticipated to attract $16 in private investment by 2030.
Expanding Skiable Terrain
The expansion of the local ski industry is a central component of the project area's growth. Alterra Mountain Company announced in August of 2023 that it would operate the Mayflower ski terrain by expanding Deer Valley Resort with 3,700 acres. This expansion is expected to more than double the resort's skiable terrain, adding 16 new lifts and a new 10-passenger gondola. Once construction is completed, which is expected no later than the 2027-2028 winter season, Deer Valley Resort will feature 5,726 skiable acres.
Conservation and Open Space
The development also includes significant conservation efforts to protect the local ecosystem. In August of 2023, Utah Open Lands was granted a 3,100-acre conservation easement from an EX Utah company affiliate, creating the Forty-Fifth Star Conservation Preserve. This easement prevents residential development on more than 600 units in the donated areas, instead opening the land for regional trail and recreation connections and preserving wildlife habitats.
Infrastructure and Funding
To manage the infrastructure needs of the growing project area, MIDA has entered into various agreements to fund and construct public works. This includes interlocal cooperation agreements with Wasatch County, Wasatch County Fire, the Jordanelle Special Services District, and the Town of Hideout. These agreements establish funding priorities for approved projects and dictate how tax revenues generated within the project area will be utilized. Currently, the project area contains more than $1 billion in taxable value, which MIDA says ensures the security of debt obligations used to fund critical infrastructure.
