Whitewater Park
Vail, Colorado, is no stranger to whitewater, but until 2002 whitewater
events such as the Teva Mountain Games were held on the Eagle River
outside of town. Tourism is the lifeblood of Vail's ski-town economy,
and town planners recognized the value of positioning an outdoor-sports
event in the downtown business district, particularly one that can draw
visitors long after the snow melts from the ski slopes.
Early in 2002, the Vail Valley Chamber and Tourism Bureau proposed
modifying Gore Creek so that freestyle paddling events could take place
in the heart of Vail Village. They commissioned a design that provided
high-quality whitewater without looking man-made. With the backing of
tourism bureau, the $130,000 project was completed in a matter of
months. The park has since played host to the most aggressively
promoted annual freestyle competition in the country, part of the Teva
Mountain Games.
The Vail Whitewater Park has had a dramatic effect on an otherwise
winter-based town. Vail's investment has paid for itself by pumping
millions of dollars into the local economy. During a five-day
competition this spring, the city drew an estimated $1.4 million in
extra spending due partly to crowds that gathered to watch whitewater
rodeo events.
Often kayaking takes place in remote wilderness areas, but this
Whitewater Park allows Vail to showcase the fastest growing
aspect of whitewater sports right in downtown Vail.
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