FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (APRIL 2008)

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Blockbuster Hollywood Agreement Reached for Royal Gorge

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Soda Springs, CA,

A well kept secret was revealed this week by sources close to Hollywood producer Peter Jackson, indicating that a deal has been made with Royal Gorge LLC to film the new Hobbit movie on Donner Summit. Mr. Jackson's assistant says the deal was signed on the first of this month, but has been kept quiet on Royal Gorge's request.

Mike Livak, project manager for Royal Gorge, says the deal was kept secret to allow time for the details to be worked out. "We wanted to give Mr. Jackson time to book accommodations for the cast and crew," said Livak, "If word of the deal had leaked, then both Ice Lakes Lodge and Rainbow Lodge would have been booked solid, and we didn't want that to happen."

Livak says "this is an awesome deal, they will be filming in the summer when the cross country resort is closed, so it won't impact skiers at all." In addition, the production company says they will be building a complete hobbit village in the Lake Camp area and an elfin city in Ski Camp. The dragon lair will be built in Wilderness Camp. 

Asked about the environmental impacts, Michael Johnson of Placer County's planning department replied "there will be minimal impact, as elfin and hobbit villages do not have roads, running water or sewage to dispose of: Read the books, plumbing and toilets are never mentioned."

Kirk Syme, one of the Royal Gorge owners, was heard to say: "It can't get any better, Hollywood is paying for everything, and when they are done we can sell the hobbit and elfin houses for a huge profit." 

A spokesperson for Royal Gorge's PR firm claims the houses will sell themselves. "We surveyed California's second home buying public and found they do not want the 3,000 square foot luxury cabins with their cathedral ceilings and big windows. They just aren't selling." says Katie of the PR firm. "What we will offer will be more earthy. The round doors and low ceilings are what people want these days."  She would not confirm whether a ring will be hidden somewhere to attract buyers.

Todd Foster, also an owner of Royal Gorge, makes the point that dome-like hobbit houses are very cool in the summer, and can be adapted to the snow in the winter. "We will be offering the houses with igloo conversion kits so they can be used year round," Todd says.

"Its a win-win-win-win solution," says Sierra Watch's Peter Van Zant. "Hobbit houses are very low impact, so the environment wins, Royal Gorge gets its development paid for, so they win, Mr. Jackson gets to film in California rather than in New Zealand, so he wins, and the local homeowners will be hired to play goblins and hobbits, so they win also."

"I'm happy as long as they don't touch the lakes," says Serene Lakes homeowner Joe Gray, "I don't want to play a goblin or hobbit, but I might go looking for the ring."

Mr. Jackson's assistant says filming will start as soon as the snow melts.

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Release date April 1 (held off until April 26 on Royal Gorge's request)