Cascade Whitewater Park Update 1/20/2008
A nonprofit organization named Friends of the Cascade Whitewater Park is currently being formed for the construction of the Cascade Whitewater Park in Cascade, ID on the North Fork Payette River. A conceptual plan has been delivered to the City of Cascade by the project engineers (Recreational Engineering and Planning-REP) for the whitewater park features and some bank stabilization with an estimated cost to build of $462,560. A bathymetric survey needs to be completed and submitted to REP for them to complete a preliminary design which should be suitable for the permitting process. At that point additional public and agency hearings will be held. REP will then complete a construction plan for the project and the process of soliciting bids for construction and the start of construction can occur. Construction will have to occur during low water flows and the earliest possible start of construction at this time is approximately winter of 2008/2009. Availability of funds significantly affect this timeline.
Monetary donations continue to be sought and t-shirts with the Cascade Whitewater Park logo are on sale at the Cascade Store in Cascade and at fundraising events. Various grant applications have been submitted and are currently being worked on. More grant possibilities are also being researched. Preparations for the Making Waves fundraiser March 15, 2008 at the Roxy Theater in Cascade are currently underway. The event is a film festival roadshow featuring selected films from the National Paddling Film Festival. Previous fundraisers for the Cascade Whitewater Park include operating a concession stand at the fireworks display in Cascade July 4, 2007, the First and Last Flatwater Festival (fun river race) July 21, 2007, a dance August 10, 2007, and a taco bar/dance in conjunction with a Cascade Whitewater Park supporter’s birthday celebration 1/19/2008.
If you are interested in the project and wish to volunteer or have additional questions, please contact Cascade City Hall at (208) 382-4279.
Making Waves
Fundraising efforts continue for the Cascade Whitewater Park with the Making Waves fundraising event Saturday March 15, 2008 at the Roxy Theater in Cascade. Selected movies from past and present years of the National Paddling Film Festival (NPFF) will entertain both boaters and non-boaters. There will be a silent auction, raffle, and door prizes. Beer will be available. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.-event starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. Seating is limited! Advance tickets go on sale February 15, 2008 at the following locations (cash or check only please): The Cascade Store (Cascade), West Mtn. Gear & Grind (Donnelly), Gravity Sports (McCall), Alpenglow Mountainsport (Boise), and Idaho River Sports (Boise). Lodging specials are being offered for Making Waves movie-goers at The Ashley Inn (382-5621) and Bears Knight Inn (382-4370). Come, enjoy watching some awesome boating films and support the Cascade Whitewater Park! If you are curious about the NPFF, check out their website at http://www.surfbwa.org/npff/
