Redford denies speculation he might sell Sundance resort

SALT LAKE CITY — Robert Redford says he's not planning to sell his Sundance resort in Utah's Wasatch Mountains. In response to media speculation, the actor and filmmaker issued a written statement Wednesday saying his commitment to the ski area, arts and culture center and corporate retreat was "stronger than ever."

Redford's statement didn't address a report that he was looking to sell his stake in the Sundance channel cable network to his partners, Viacom Inc. and NBC Universal.

"I can't deny or confirm that," Sundance Channel spokeswoman Sarah Eaton told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

But Redford made clear he has no plans to unload the 6,000-acre resort he calls home, about 25 miles south of Salt Lake City at the base of 12,000-foot Mount Timpanogos.

"In response to a story generated by unnamed sources in a New York tabloid, please be advised that I have absolutely no intention of selling Sundance Village," Redford said in an e-mail provided Wednesday by the resort.

"In fact my commitment is stronger than ever to nurturing in new and unique ways the mission and essence of Sundance as a place where art, nature and community come together to enhance the human experience," he said.

The New York Post reported last week that a "financially strapped" Redford was looking to cash out a $60-million-plus stake in Sundance channel and "working on restructuring his resort."

The resort has undergone a restructuring of sorts, but not one involving a change of ownership, Sundance Village spokeswoman Lucy Rudolph said Wednesday.

"We restructure our sales and catering and conference facilities just to be more of a one-stop service. We've also been adding a lot more programming. It's been really great for us," she said.

Redford bought the resort in 1969.

His Sundance Institute sponsors the annual Sundance Film Festival, a celebration of independent film in Park City, Utah. At the festival in January, the 66-year-old Redford hinted he was planning to shed some obligations to renew his acting career.