A gathering scheduled this Saturday outside the Marsac Building will dedicate a memorial to Arlene Loble, Park City’s first professional manager, who guided the town through the big changes and big challenges of the 1980’s.
Loble was the first woman city manager in Utah. She served in Park City from 1980 to the end of 1988.
She died in June of 2019 in Portland, Oregon.
Loble’s friends and associates from the old days of Park City are invited to gather on Saturday, July 24th at 4 p.m. at the south entrance of City Hall, the Marsac Building.
One of the organizers, Sally Elliott, said a memorial garden has been created. She said you’ll have to show up to find out why the memorial includes a placque, three red benches and two red steel shoes, designed by local artist Zaphod Beatlebrox.
Elliott said that Loble’s daughter, Rachel, and her family will be on hand, along with Mayor Andy Beerman and current City Manager Matt Dias.
Elliott said that the attendees will share stories about Loble, who, she said, laid the groundwork for modern Park City.
“Arlene was the person who put us on a trajectory for success. She laid the foundations for the city that we are today, and set an example of very high quality professional management that exists to the day here.”
Elliott moved here in the late 1980’s, and ultimately went on to be a Park City Council Member, County Commissioner and County Council Member.
But early on, when she became involved in the city, she found Loble to be a mentor, an unorthodox leader and a “bit of a force of nature” as she put it.
“I got three years to work with her and absolutely adore her. She was such an inspiration to me and I came in never really having any experience in municipal affairs. But I was on the Park Rec Board. She was just such a guiding star, and such a professional. I learned to adore her. I didn’t get here in time to be one of her best friends, but I certainly had the benefit of her wisdom.”
The dedication will be followed by pizza and beer in City Council Chambers.