PRIEST LAKE, Idaho — Priest Lake is home to just under 7,000 people. During the summer months, the area welcomes a lot more than gorgeous lakes and extraordinary views: new attractions.
The newest attraction is the Ethan Chapin Volleyball Court. Unveiled Wednesday, July 26, the volleyball court was named after Ethan Chapin, one of the four University of Idaho students killed last November.
Hill's Resort, located at the foot of the Selkirk Mountains, has been open for more than 75 years. Thousands of families spend their summer days or weeks at the resort located on Priest Lake. One of those families is the Chapins.
The family of five has spent several summers vacationing there. Ethan and his triplet siblings worked at the resort during the summer. Ethan even previously brought his girlfriend Xana Kernodle, who was also killed last November, to the resort.
"It's been a very hard summer," said Whitney Hutchinson, the owner of the resort. "Their family has been coming here forever." "He was just the best."
The volleyball court and the new bench with a plaque recognizing Ethan sit in front of the lake for all to take in.
"You could just always find him here. He was always playing, with friends, staff, he was always smiling, laughing and playing."
The Chapins were common challengers on the court for Chris Zylak and his family.
"We had a lot of fun battles on this volleyball court," Zylak said. He says his kids grew up alongside the Chapins at the resort. "For all of them and for us to experience a tragedy like this, it's been tough."
Zylak said his family wanted a way to remember their best memories with Ethan. It was their idea to create the bench in his honor.
The Chapins were also a part of the installing of the bench. Ethan's mom Stacy posted on Instagram saying in part, "I know Ethan is always here at the lake, but, this is something physical that allows everyone to remember his joy, laughter and love of life."
She ended the social media post encouraging people to stop by and have a seat with someone you love.
Annual resort goers shared that they witnessed the unveiling from afar Wednesday morning.
"We had no idea what was going on," one local man said. "We just could tell it was very emotional."
Hill shared that losing Ethan has been "the biggest loss" and hopes the bench serves as a memorial for him.
"I hope they can feel his energy and smile and think about how special and good life really is," she said.
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