Anchorage Daily News

GIRDWOOD -- Girdwood kids learn to swim at the Alyeska Resort hotel pool. People recovering from injuries use the fitness center for physical therapy. Residents who live in cabins with no running water take showers there.

At least, that's how it used to be.

New ownership has brought new policies to the resort that is the economic heart of this earthy mountain town, including one that has angered and disappointed many of the 2,000 residents.

No longer can $5 buy you a one-day pass to swim, shower, lift weights or run on a treadmill at the only pool and fitness center in town.

To do any of that now, locals must buy six-month memberships that go for $400 for a single adult ($300 if you've already bought a season ski pass), $600 for two adults and $50 for each child.

As you'd expect in a place known for the outspokenness and eccentricities of its residents, the change is creating some heartburn.

Skyler Kline said his 8-year-old son, Kaija, learned to swim at Alyeska's pool, as did many of Kaija's friends. "You wouldn't even be able to print what he called the man who shut it down,'' Kline said.

The man in question is Utah millionaire John Byrne III, who bought the resort late last year. Most of the town is thrilled that Byrne is a skier with big plans for the mountain -- not just the hotel, mind you, but the mountain. Already, new terrain has been opened, and more good things are expected.

But some of the locals think they're no longer welcome at the hotel. What's more, some of them think they aren't welcome because they don't live and look the way people in typical ski-resort towns are supposed to live and look.

Not so, said Jason Lott, a spokesman for Alyeska.

"That really is not the case whatsoever,'' he said. "We eliminated the daily use just so we can make it more of a family-friendly atmosphere.

"It has nothing to do with looks or appearances or anything.''

Even if it did, would that be so bad?

For $150 or more a night, hotel guests shouldn't have to compete for space in the gym with locals who need a shower.

What the new management needs to remember, though, is that Alyeska has long had an open-door policy for locals. Any changes will rile up a population famous for its opinions and passions.

"It's the nature of Girdwood to be independent and opinionated. It's very much the constitution of the people here, you know?'' said Keith Essex, president of Alpine Air Alaska and a 20-year resident of the town. "I would be surprised if (the new management) had anticipated a backlash like this, because anywhere else, particularly in the Lower 48, you wouldn't expect a backlash.''

Some of the backlash is fueled by legitimate concerns.

Access to a pool is important in Alaska, where the drowning rate is high. Take away Alyeska's pool, and the nearest alternative is 40 miles away in Anchorage.

"I pulled two kids out from Portage last summer,'' said Emma Kramer, owner of the Java Haus.

She's worried more Girdwood kids will find trouble in lakes and rivers if there's no place in town to learn to swim. Not all locals can come up with the money for a six-month membership, especially seasonal workers and $10-an-hour workers.

But Diana Stone Livingston, a former chairman of Girdwood's Board of Supervisors, says she understands where the new management is coming from.

"The hotel fitness center was never intended to be for people living in tents to take a shower,'' she said. "There have been some definite abuses, and I have to say I'm in sympathy with that. You can't come in with twigs hanging off your body and use (the hotel spa) to clean up.''

And yet this is Girdwood we're talking about. The last thing any Alaskan wants is a pretentious, tony ski town. Leave that for the Aspens and Park Cities of the ski world. Give us scruffy over stuffy any day.

Girdwood being Girdwood, another controversy will soon take the place of this one. But the new team running Alyeska would be wise to understand that while the mountain may be the heart of the town, the locals are its charm and its soul. Twigs and all.

Beth Bragg's opinion column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Her e-mail address is bbragg@adn.com.