GLENWOOD SPRINGS - Local government leaders plunged kayak paddles into the earth Tuesday to celebrate a project about seven years in the making: a whitewater park.

The Glenwood Springs City Council awarded an $888,838 contract in November for construction of the feature just upstream of the Midland Avenue bridge in the Colorado River. A number of other groups and businesses also donated funds for the project. Preliminary work is under way, and on-site construction should start within a week or two. Work is expected to be complete by March 15 - just about time for early season use of the park. Park proponents are planning another phase with amenities along the river bank. What follows is a quick question-and-answer session with Joe Mollica, who has been instrumental in the project.

When did you get interested in locating a whitewater park here and why? 2001. Because I've been in rafting for quite a long time. I was a raft guide. I take my family out every year. Other parks have been built around, but I figured Glenwood Springs is the ideal spot for a whitewater park.

What will the park have in terms of features? It'll be about a 75-yard-long feature. It'll have a high water feature, a medium water feature and a low water feature. There will also be pools.

What does it mean for Glenwood Springs? It's huge. It means we have a new park to play in. Money for our economy from tourists. A spot for river conservation. People can learn to play safe in the river, and, eventually, guaranteed flow in the Colorado River.

What does it mean for boaters? You're going to have a whole new place to boat.

How long has the effort taken? Seven years.

How many hours have you spent on this project? I don't know.

How does it feel to have the plans becoming a reality? It's great. Finally - it's nice.

What has been the toughest thing about it? Sometimes keeping the momentum going is the hardest part.

What's harder - teaching or getting the whitewater park built? Teaching's a lot harder, but this has been a fun deal.

Do any of your students think you're cooler for having spearheaded a whitewater park? They're excited to have the park. We had quite a few students on the committee from time to time.

Contact Pete Fowler: 384-9121pfowler@postindependent.com



Post Independent, Glenwood Springs Colorado CO