Category:asci
Garrett County in negotiations regarding ASCI
FRIENDSVILLE — Garrett County is in negotiations regarding the Adventure Sports Center International, county commission chairman Paul Edwards told a constituent during Monday’s public meeting.
County resident Ken Jasko asked what is going to be done about ASCI in McHenry.
Deep Creek 2014: Spectators flock to Western Maryland for Olympic atmosphere
Ryan jumps around on the concrete lining the Adventure Sports Center International course in an U.S. Soccer jersey and matching bandanna and American flag face paint. He watched all of this summer’s World Cup and plays soccer, but this is his first time watching slalom canoe or kayak.
When asked which he enjoys more, international soccer or international kayaking, the 7-year-old finally stops moving and takes a few seconds to answer. “Kayaking,” he decides, and goes back to playing on the grass and the tiered seating area.
His mom, Cathy Witt, is impressed that a day at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships near Deep Creek Lake had such a quick impact on him. Witt saw a posting on Facebook about a world championship just 45 miles from their home in Cumberland, Md., and figured it was worth checking out.
“I figured it’s a once in a lifetime thing, being here and watching it,” she said. “It has an Olympic-feel, and the kids are really into the Olympics so for them to be here and in this type of atmosphere.”
Read More Here: http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/09/deep_creek_2014_spectators_flo.html
David Florence: Up Deep Creek with a paddle
Edinburgh canoeist David Florence believes he is peaking at the right time as he prepares to defend his two world slalom titles at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland this week.
The double Olympic silver medallist struck gold in the C1 singles and C2 doubles in Prague last September and recent form suggests that the 32-year-old is well capable of producing a repeat performance in America.
Florence was a close second in this summer’s World Cup C1 singles standings after winning in London and finishing second in Prague and Augsburg and he confirmed: “I’ll take confidence from my performances. I’ve had a really good season, even though you always want it to be better. Winning in London [at the Olympics] was fantastic and the season steadily built as it went along. I couldn’t ask for any more.”
His old rival, Slovak legend Michal Martikan, pipped him to the overall World Cup title by just 15 points, but Florence feels there is no clear favorite this week.
Read More Here: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/david-florence-up-deep-creek-with-a-paddle-1-3544058
Deep Creek 2014
History will be made here @ Deep Creek Lake!
Here we are now just 18 days shy of this epic event and the excitement in Deep Creek is definitely evident. The fact that we get to share our beloved region with so many guests from all around the world is quite a privilege. We are excited to encourage the Team USA members as they all strive to do their best and to accomplish their goals.
The Countdown is On! Don’t miss out on this memorable event!
Find Out More About this Event at: https://www.deepcreek2014.com/
New Listing - 71 Lower Camp Rd McHenry-GA8357685-$599,900-ski-in-ski-out-chalet-asci
| Property Type: Vacation Rental | ||
| 5 | 4 Full | |
| 17,486 Sq. Ft. | 2,856 (approx) | 2007 |
| 3 | ||
| Bathrooms | |||
| 4 | |||
Garrett commissioners don’t expect rafting complex to be county operation for long term
Elaine Blaisdell
OAKLAND — Garrett County commissioners recently met with the grand jury and indicated that they didn’t believe that it was in their best interest for Adventure Sports Center International in McHenry to remain a county operation in the long term. Commissioner Jim Raley indicated in an interview with the Times-News that he would like to see the manmade whitewater rafting complex run on a lease basis.
If an entity were to take ownership of ASCI it wouldn’t happen until sometime after Deep Creek 2014: International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships, which are scheduled for September, according to Raley.
Commissioner Gregan Crawford said that the county doesn’t own ASCI, but that they bought out the bank notes and is ASCI’s largest creditor.
“ASCI was a situation that was really more thrust on us. We didn’t go out and look for it,” said Crawford.
In 2012, the commissioners authorized the expenditure of $600,000 to secure the assignment of ASCI debts from Susquehanna Bank. The original debt for ASCI was $3 million, according to Chairman Robert Gatto.
“When you look at the capital investment that was made, by not only the county taxpayers but the state and some federal monies that went into the project, it had to be stabilized,” said Raley.
Crawford echoed Raley’s sentiments, noting that one of the reasons for keeping ASCI in the short term was the need to stabilize it.
“We hope to polish it up and have everything in place,” said Crawford.
ASCI is funded by multiple sources, such as federal, state and community development block grants. It is still operating in the black, has been for the past two years and sees 10,000 to 11,000 visitors per year, according to Raley. ASCI runs like an enterprise fund on revenues it brings in, similar to the county landfill, according to Crawford.
The county cut costs by looking into the number of personnel and making sure that the water was turned off when it wasn’t needed, said Raley. ASCI has 65 to 70 seasonal (May through September) employees at a cost of $267,000.
Crawford stressed the importance of Deep Creek 2014 and its future economic impact on the county.
Garrett County was awarded $1 million from the state’s capital budget for upgrades to ASCI in preparation for Deep Creek 2014. The state bond proceeds will partially fund the $2.3 million in improvements, which include design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction and capital equipping of ASCI. The project will also include upgrading telecommunications and building new and upgrading existing infrastructure and facilities. United States Department of Agriculture grants, Maryland Heritage Area grants and a local access grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be used toward improvements, Crawford said.
An earthen amphitheater with concrete masonry walls, an open pavilion and a viewing platform will be built for the event, according to the county’s website.
An access road bridge for Deep Creek 2014 might not be ready for the event, according to Dwight Emory, P.E., director of the Garett County engineering department. The rest of the improvements are expected to be completed on time.
The event is expected to draw 35 to 40 international teams; 1,200 coaches, athletes and support staff; 30,000 spectators and is estimated to have a more than $20 million economic impact on Garrett County.
“One of the goals of 2014 is to make it (ASCI) an epicenter for adventure sports, not only on the East Coast but throughout the United States as well,” said Crawford.
Gatto said that timing of Deep Creek 2014 will help bolster the economy at a time when there is a seasonal lull.
Whitewater Worlds Exhibition set at Wisp
January 9, 2014
MCHENRY, MD / DEEP CREEK LAKE – The World Championships are coming!
In anticipation of this prestigious World Class event, Deep Creek 2014 has partnered with the Wisp Resort to display the Whitewater Worlds Exhibition in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the 1989 Worlds on the Savage River and in anticipation of the Deep Creek 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.
The exhibition, designed by Laura Stutzman of Eloqui, will be featured on the 60 foot by 40 foot wall in the Main Lodge at Wisp Resort throughout the ski season, beginning Martin Luther King weekend.
The vision for the Whitewater Worlds Exhibition Wall is to showcase the triumph of the 1989 U.S. Canoe Slalom Team and to convey the dream of 2014’s U.S Team to surpass the benchmark set by their predecessors. Get an illustrative look at the 1989 World Championships bridge to its legacy, the Deep Creek 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.
The Commemorative Poster, by Mark Stutzman, is to be unveiled on Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. in the Wisp Lodge. Be a part of history in the making. All are welcome to attend.
Wisp Resort Opens Ski Lodge At Whitewater Course
MCHENRY, Md. (AP) — The Wisp ski resort in McHenry is opening a second lodge.
The resort says the new White Water Lodge at the top of Marsh Mountain will be open on busy weekends and holidays. It enables guests to bypass the main lodge at the base of the mountain.
The new lodge is in the headquarters building for the Adventure Sports Center International man-made whitewater course.
Garrett County took over the center last year after the nonprofit owner defaulted on more than $3 million in bank loans.
Upgrades progress at Deep Creek 2014 site
Elaine BlaisdellCumberland Times-News
MCHENRY — With 260 days left until the largest inbound international sporting event in the United States this year, physical preparations have begun for Deep Creek 2014: International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Beitzel Corp. of Grantsville is making minor modifications to the whitewater course at Adventure Sports Center International, according to Joe Schroyer, director of operations at ASCI. Waldon Studio Architects in Columbia is working on the designs for the natural amphitheater and the 800-square-foot pavilion, which once complete will go out for bid for construction.
“We hope to begin construction late winter, early spring,” said Schroyer.
ASCI, which opened in 2007, is the world’s only mountaintop whitewater course, and was built to host Deep Creek 2014.
“It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to build that facility on the hill,” said Sen. George Edwards previously. “It’s there and look what it’s done, it’s drawn this fantastic event to Garrett County, which is going to benefit this part of the state tremendously. This, as I see it, is maybe the first stepping stone. We can be the epicenter of adventure sports not only in Maryland, and the United States but in the world.”
ASCI, Wisp Road Decision, Airport Updates Given
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners held a public meeting on Tuesday and received several updates from county agencies and affiliates. The agenda included further discussion on Wisp Mountain Road, updates at the airport and the Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI), the announcing of members of the Deep Creek Wastershed Management Plan Steering Committee, and information from the Garrett County Board of Elections.
Wisp Mountain Road
At a July 16 public hearing concerning the Wisp Mountain Road, it was announced that public record would be kept open until Aug. 9, and a decision would be announced at the Aug. 13 meeting. However, the decision was deferred, and will be presented at a later date.
ASCI
Michael Logsdon, ASCI executive director, reported that advances in marketing have been made at the facility, and they are working on getting the word out about activities available there. Signs with new logos that better depict events at ASCI have been erected, and the information technology department has improved the web site and the method for guests to order photographs.
Modifications are being made to the stream bed for upcoming events, and requests for bids have been sent out for modification of the amphitheater. The clean-up also continues on the Fork Run Trail that was heavily impacted by the snow-hurricane storm in October 2012.
Garrett County Airport
Edward Kelley, Garrett County Airport manager, reported that there has been a large influx of jets to the airport since the extension of the runway. The yearly inspection of the airport occurred on Aug. 7, and it was found to be in excellent condition, he reported.
DCL Watershed
Management Plan
Steering Committee
A steering committee was selected for the Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan. A total of 22 individuals submitted their names to volunteer on the committee, and nine were selected.
Those selected are David Myerber, chair, Morgantown, W.Va., resident representative; Robert Hoffman, Oakland, resident representative; Peter Versteegen, McHenry, resident representative; Lulu Gonella, Swanton, resident representative; John Forman, Oakland, forestry representative; Steve Green, McHenry, recreation represtative; Bob Browning, McHenry, business representative; Willie Lantz, Mtn. Lake Park, agricultural representative; and Mike Sabad, Clarion, Pa., operations manager and power plant representative.
Board of Elections
Steve Fratz gave a report on the Garrett County Board of Elections. He said the beginning of the election season has been slow, with filing lagging. The deadline to file is Feb. 25, and information about filing can be found on the web site.
The process is under way for preparing polling places for the June 24 primary election. Coordination will begin immediately after Labor Day. Some polling places may be consolidated because of issues with parking and accessibility. They include Ryan’s Glade with Red House and West Oakland with East Oakland.
This will be the last year for the current voting system, which is 14 years old. The search for a new system will begin shortly.
