The Park City community lost local visionary and philanthropist, Nick Badami, on June 4th, 2008.  An ardent supporter of The Foundation, we spoke to Nick earlier in the year about his past contributions and future hopes for the community.  Here is his story:

When Nick Badami and his family first came to Park City in 1975, there wasn’t even a place to eat lunch. But Badami fell instantly in love with the sleepy mountain hamlet. “I loved the 100-year old Aspens, all the fascinating mining history, and the colorful cast of characters who made Park City their home.”

“I loved the 100-year old Aspens, all the fascinating mining history."

And he loved the snow-covered mountains. When he looked at them, he saw possibility. For a world-class ski destination. For a town with a rich, cultural soul. For a connected community that welcomed diversity. And for more than 30 years, Badami has worked tirelessly to make these dreams a reality.

As a former owner of the Park City Mountain Resort, Badami helped put Park City on the map as a premier ski destination. But he didn’t stop at the slopes. He brought his vision to Main Street—and beyond. Before the first restaurant was even built, Badami donated an old gas station to Park City arts enthusiast Bill Kimball, and together with others in the community, they created the Kimball Arts Center. Today, that modest little gas station has evolved into the city’s cultural hub.

“We’ve been working for many years to bring world-class art and culture to Park City,” says Badami. “And we’ve been really successful in some cases. But, there is a need to coordinate everything. We must bring our efforts together and take this city to the next level. And that’s exactly what The Park City Foundation is doing.”

"We must bring our efforts together and take this city to the next level. "

Badami sees The Park City Foundation playing a central and essential role in Park City’s growth. “Our community attracts people from so many different places—people with so much to offer—and The Foundation gives us a way to bring this diverse group together,” he says. “It’s the umbrella for all of our charitable giving efforts—and all that needs to be done in Park City over the next 20 years.”

And what does the grandfather of Park City progress hope his city will evolve into? “I hope we can continue to enhance our cultural offerings and provide opportunities for young people to get involved in all Park City’s summer and winter sports,” he says. “But really, it’s not for me to say. It’s for the next generation to decide.”