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SALT LAKE CITY -- It's a scary look down from the top of the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. But officials from the Special Olympics Utah are hoping people are brave enough to rappel down the side of the building to raise money. They'll have the help of professionals, of course.
Special Olympics Utah Public Relations Director Natalie Thornley said, "It's been done internationally. This firm is an international firm that comes, and they're window washers actually."
Thornley says they hope 100 people will pay $1,000 to rappel the hotel. She says people will get to practice before the big jump.
"Before they rappel at the Grand [America], they're actually going off of the third floor. So, they get to do it at the Grand [America] to practice with the actual equipment," she said.
For anyone who may get nervous and freeze halfway down, Thornley says they won't be stuck there for long.
"We have people who are on the ropes to help everybody get down. If they need to go down, let go of the ropes and be let down," she explained.
Thornley says Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker has committed to rappel down the building, along with Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and the Jazz Bear, although some of them will scale down on Thursday. The official event is this Friday.
To qualify for the event, you need to raise $1,000, be at least 18 years old, and weigh less than 300 pounds. For more information click here.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
