Acting governor told of benefits of Cacapon State Park expansion

A group from Morgan County met with Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to review plans for the Cacapon State Park lodge expansion on Tuesday, August 16 in Charleston.

Attending the meeting in the governor’s office were Joe D. Michael and Jim Michael of the Cacapon State Park Foundation, Morgan County Commission president Stacy Dugan, State Parks Chief Ken Caplinger, DNR Director Frank Jezioro, Deputy Chief of Staff Erica Mani, and State Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette.

The Cacapon Lodge project includes a 79-room, 67,000-sq.-ft. addition, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa and fitness center, new dining rooms and an upgraded commercial kitchen.

The project also includes upgrades to the golf course and rehabilitation to the water system, wells and wastewater treatment plant.

The overall project has been estimated at $23.5 million.

In 2005, Cacapon State Park was selected one of West Virginia’s top state parks, based on an economic cost vs. income study. The study showed Cacapon Park could be self-supporting, with an opportunity to make a profit.

Infrastructure first
At last week’s meeting, Parks Chief Caplinger said the park expansion project is ready for construction.

He also reviewed the strong future economic benefits, as did DNR Director Jezioro.

Commissioner Dugan discussed the economic benefits from the project and the need for hotel facilities in the county.

The meeting ended with a discussion about the possibility of funding the infrastructure part of the project.

This was estimated at $2 million and would include improvements to the water system and treatment plant, electrical service and wastewater treatment plant. The upgrades would provide the capacity to handle the lodge expansion.

The project is supported by the Morgan County Commis-sion, County Economic Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce and Travel Berkeley Springs.