Friends of the Falls held a press conference today announcing that funding hurdles have been cleared for Spokane’s proposed whitewater park, opening the way for final design, permitting and eventual construction. The group, through State grants, local donations and City contributions in the form of materials for the feature, has raised approximately $1.2 million over the past two years. The most recent large donation allowing the project to meet its funding goals was in the amount of $40,000 from Teck Cominco, a diversified mining company with regional offices in Spokane.

The proposed whitewater park is one of several priority projects identified in the Gorge area Strategic Master Plan, developed through an extensive community involvement process involving more than two dozen groups, organizations, agencies and tribal governments. The proposed feature will include two u-shaped arrangements of native boulders, intended to create drops, waves and pools in the river for kayakers and other users to enjoy. The project also includes the addition of parking, restorative landscaping, and a small visitor center at the entry to the area. The project is expected to benefit all users of the area - including anglers, hikers, mountain bikers, residents of adjacent neighborhoods, and anyone using the Centennial Trail or proposed Fish Lake trail.

Other major supporters of the capital campaign included Mick & Shelly McDowell, Mountain Gear, Tomlinson Black, the Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation, Red Lion Hotels, Walt & Karen Worthy, the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club, Avista Corporation, Greenstone, REI, the Downtown Spokane Partnership, Global Federal Credit Union, Wendle Ford, Yoke’s Washington Foods, and the Spokane Association of Realtors. Over one hundred individuals have donated to support of the Whitewater Park. A complete list of supporters is available for download and viewing below, along with the press release announcing the event.

Honored guests included Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession and State Representative Timm Ormsby, who each spoke briefly about the benefits of the project. State Senator Chris Marr was also present, along with Governor’s Representative Sheila Collins, and major donors Mick and Shelly McDowell. State Senator Lisa Brown, who was recognized for having led funding efforts in Olympia, was unable to attend.

The next phase of the project, according to FOF Executive Director Steve Faust, is to complete an agreement with the City of Spokane’s Parks and Recreation Department for development of the facility. That agreement has been largely reviewed and is near completion, according to Faust. FOF is currently negotiating with professional design teams for contract services, and several permits are required, including a City Shorelines Permit.

Regarding permitting, Faust said “Throughout the past year we have been speaking informally with permitting agencies (mainly Fish & Wildlife and DOE), the Spokane Tribe, city officials, neighborhoods, local anglers, boaters, and others regarding the project, and believe each group’s issues can be addressed in the project design. We are eager to do that, and appreciate the interest, patience and understanding the various groups have shown.”

“Given the time needed to permit the project, we expect to begin construction of the whitewater features and support facilities no earlier than May 2008, with project completion in October 2008” Faust said.

The Whitewater Park is expected to attract whitewater enthusiasts and spectators from around the region, creating a focused center of activity in the confluence area of the Gorge - helping make the area safer for all citizens. Based on the experience of other cities, project supporters expect the Whitewater Park will return $1 to $2 million a year to the community in increased tourism and recreation-related spending.

Press Release (172 Kb, Acrobat® file)
Supporter List (40 Kb, Acrobat® file)
American Whitewater news article (Weblink)

The link below downloads a copy of an Associated Press article entitled “Boise aims to build white-water park,” covering plans in Boise, Idaho to build a white-water kayak facility in the proposed “Boise River Park,” part of Esther Simplot Park, a larger park currently being designed. Published December 11, 2006, in Spokane’s Spokesman-Review.

Boise water-park article (60 Kb, Acrobat® file)

The link below downloads a copy of the Conceptual Design Report for Spokane’s proposed whitewater park, to be located near the Sandifur Memorial Bridge at the confluence of the Spokane River and Hangman Creek. Prepared and submitted to Friends of the Falls in March, 2006 by consultant Gary Lacy of Recreation Engineering and Planning with engineering consultant David Evans, Associates (DEA) of Spokane.

WWP Conceptual Plan (1.1 Mb, Acrobat® file)

The link below downloads a copy of an August 27, 2005 Spokesman-Review article entitled “Company named for whitewater park team”, covering the selection of Boulder, Colorado based Recreational Engineering & Planning to design the proposed whitewater park feature. By Alison Boggs, Staff Reporter.

Company Named (44 Kb, Acrobat® file)