Governor Tomblin Signs Cacapon Renovation Bill

Author: Tricia Lynn Strader | Published: 04/12/2012 | 294 Views | Short URL: http://itpwv.com/local/n/8750

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin visited Cacapon Resort State Park on April 9th to ceremoniously sign Senate Bill 362, which authorizes a $23.5 million bond issue for an expansion and renovation project at Cacapon. The bill passed the legislature in March, and Tomblin signed it into law. Senate Bill 362 also calls for improvements to Beech Fork State Park near Barboursville.  Three million will be set aside each year for 30 years from the excess video lottery revenues to fund the entire $52.5 million project. 

Cacapon’s renovation project calls for a 67,000-sq. ft. addition with 82 new guest rooms, public dining room, updated commercial kitchen, and more conference rooms. Plans include a new indoor/outdoor pool, a spa and fitness center, and upgrades to the Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed golf course, which is considered one of the finest in the East.

The park is one of West Virginia’s original state parks, constructed during the Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) and opened July 1, 1937. The name is a derivative of the Shawnee word meaning “medicine waters.” The lodge building is 50 years old.

Commission president Stacy Dugan thanked Tomblin for his gift to celebrate the park’s 75th anniversary. She and other local and state officials said the renovations would bolster tourism and create needed jobs.

Governor Tomblin, who has visited Cacapon several times, said, “You have to spend money to make money. And when we put money into Cacapon, we’ll have a park people from a long way away will come to visit. With your strategic location, especially to the Washington and Baltimore area, we’ll be able to build an economic development tool like we’ve never had before. It will create jobs, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Cacapon’s renovation project calls for a 67,000-sq. ft. addition with 82 new guest rooms, public dining room, updated commercial kitchen, and more conference rooms. Plans include a new indoor/outdoor pool, a spa and fitness center, and upgrades to the Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed golf course, which is considered one of the finest in the East.

He also said, “You all have, I should say we have, a beautiful state park here. We’re all very proud of it.”

Among the guests were Speaker of the House of Delegates Rick Thompson, D-Wayne, and bill co-sponsors Senators Herb Snyder, D-Jefferson, and Senate Majority Leader John Unger, D-Berkeley; Delegate Daryl Cowles, R-Morgan, and Commissioners Brad Close and Brenda Hutchinson were there representing Morgan County, as well as members of the Cacapon State Park Foundation.

The county commissioners and the park’s foundation members had made several trips to Charleston the last few years to voice their reasoning for the needed expansion. Dugan mentioned the tireless efforts of many who were there, and also thanked the Berkeley and Jefferson County Commissions for signing support resolutions.

Dugan said, “What stands out is how the project became a panhandle project. Cacapon is an eastern panhandle park even though it’s located in Morgan County. We were pleased Berkeley and Jefferson Counties jumped on board.”

She especially thanked Sen. Snyder, who was the lead sponsor of the bill. “No one was more essential to the success of this project than Sen. Herb Snyder, my champion. When I saw him in the hall at the capital on one early trip, he said he was looking for a project and decided Cacapon was it. He drafted the legislation, got support from others, and never gave up. He was always optimistic. He was willing to cross the district line and go the extra mile for Cacapon State Park.”

Another signing was held that morning at Beech Fork State Park. Snyder said it was a great day for the entire state and the two signings, joining together two areas of the state far apart geographically, but not so in cooperation. “It is a thoroughly needed economic boost for the county, but as Stacy said, this is an eastern panhandle project.”

He explained his involvement. “I have the joy of being on the parks committee (Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources sub-committee of the state Department of Natural Resources), which laid the groundwork for my being involved in park needs throughout the state. I need to thank Del. Purdue from Wayne County. He caught me on way to state of the state and said he wanted to add Beech Fork (in Wayne County) to the parks bill.”

Speaker Rick Thompson’s also from Wayne County. Snyder said after the state of the state, he was asked how much money was needed for Cacapon.  He received chuckles when he said, “I found out Beech Fork was in the speaker’s district. It never hurts to be practical.”

Thompson recalled when he first heard about the expansion project idea a few years ago. He was then chairman of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources sub-committee and had visited the park. Thompson said this was his first bill signing outside his home district and he was glad to be there. “I said years ago I’d never forget about this project, and all of you worked so hard to educate me on the needs here. It was a real team effort. Thank you. We appreciate it.”

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2013. Cacapon Resort State Park Superintendent Tom Ambrose said it was a great day for the park and the county, and he was looking forward to construction. “People really came together to see the importance of this project. I’m very happy.”

Cacapon State Park Foundation member Phil Spriggs, 83, witnessed the signing. He said he and his wife, a West Virginia native, had visited Cacapon several years ago, and decided to settle in Morgan County when they retired in part because of the park.  “I hope I can buy some of the bonds, which are tax-free. They’re a good investment.”

Foundation member Lin Dunham said the project was at least six years in the making. He said he grew up visiting the park. “I think it’s the best thing to happen around here in a long, long time,” he said.

Snyder also said it was a great day because he was told that morning he was again a grandfather. “My grandson and granddaughter will no doubt stay at this park. They will very likely bring their children.”

Dugan said, “As important as jobs are to the county, Cacapon means something more personal. Many residents learned to swim in the lake, identify different kinds of trees, or play at the park. People get married on the mountainside, and have family reunions and picnics at the park.”

Senate Bill 362 was sponsored by Snyder, and Unger, D-Berkeley, and Clark Barnes, R-Randolph, Robert H. Plymale, D-Wayne,  Ron Stollings, D-Boone, Art Kirkendoll, D-Logan, Walt Helmick, D-Pocahontas, Evan Jenkins, D-Cabell, William Laird, D-Fayette, Robert D. Beach, D-Monongalia, Larry J. Edgell, D-Wetzel, and Douglas Facemire, D-Braxton.

Photo: Governor Earl Ray Tomblin