After a Florida developer’s $200 million vision for a resort at Virginia’s Explore Park faded away this year due to lack of finances, a “Plan B” to bring new life to the site is taking shape.
The Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority, the board that governs the 1,100-acre park in Roanoke and Bedford counties, was presented a preliminary plan from a consortium of stakeholders Tuesday.
The proposals include rentals, leases and program fees to generate money, reopening a historic area, an adventure park, a bike center for development skills, campgrounds and cabins.
Also included are a riverwalk, riverside pavilion and amphitheater on the Roanoke River. A water park was also included but did not garner favorable feedback, said Debbie Pitts, the park’s part-time executive director.
Earl Hamner Jr., a Nelson County native and award-winning writer, also is in talks to have his library built on the site, according to the consortium.
“I’m excited about it,” Chairman Fred Anderson said of the presentation. “There’s so many things there that can happen. My major concern is we need a business plan to make sure it works.”
The new plan comes a month after a contract with entrepreneur Larry Vander Maten expired when he could not secure the funds needed to construct a family destination resort he spent years planning.
“We were on hold for five years,” Anderson said. “We’ve been late coming to spring training. We’ve got to work overtime to make this deal a reality.”
The consortium was formed in August 2009 and has since worked to develop a report, said Pitts.
Less than 100 acres of the park remain open after the last public program at the park was offered in November 2007, Pitts said. The portion of the property still open to the public includes nine miles of mountain bike trails, a one-mile hiking trail, a one-mile riverwalk trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway visitors’ center.
Pitts said she feels the new plan has “lots of potential.”
“It’s based on marketing studies and participation rates that show these are the things people are looking for and want to participate in,” she said. “Our challenge is going to be making sure it’s a self-sustaining operation and finding partners to help develop it.
“We’re all keeping an eye on the economy and hoping it will turn around as well.”
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement