Next steps for Ocoee Whitewater Center 2 years after fire
POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – It has been nearly two years since the Ocoee Whitewater Center was destroyed in a fire.
The fire occurred on the morning of April 26, 2022, destroying the site of the Polk County landmark that was built for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Now, the U.S. Forest Service is planning for the future of the site.
Ocoee Whitewater Center, April 26, 2022
They say they have conducted some initial studies in partnership with the University of Georgia that have featured over 7,000 public comments.
They say any plans for the new center will consider the modern needs of whitewater rafting as the initial site focused on serving the Olympic Games.
Chris Joyner, who is a public affairs official for the Forest Service, said, “We’ve heard that during this comment phase that some of those things need to be adjusted and reexamined for the future. We don’t just want to rebuild a facility; we’re looking at an entire site. So that the site meets the needs of current and future visitors.”
They say this will take some time and ask for the public’s patience.
In the meantime, they will be reopening the upper parking lot on the site on May 4th to restore access to the upper portion of the site, the Old Copper Road Trail, and the Blue Hole.
