Over $1 million already spent on Falls renovation

Cumberland Falls State Park Manager Roy Johnson was the featured speaker during the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commence monthly membership luncheon Tuesday afternoon.

The Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce held its monthly membership luncheon last Tuesday at the Cumberland Inn in Williamsburg with featured speaker, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Manager Roy Johnson.

Johnson spoke on the recent visit from Governor Matt Bevin and his “Refreshing the Finest” campaign that provides $18 million in additional funding to Kentucky State Parks.

Of that $18 million, over $1 million has already went towards projects at Cumberland Falls.

“When I started looking at the price of all the projects they have going, its well-over a million dollars going into the falls itself. It is very well needed and it’s past due,” said Johnson.

This includes the repairs made to the park’s pool.

“Our pool is under construction, thanks to Regina Bunch. She actually picked up the fight, which I was starting to lose. She was able to get funding for our pool,” said Johnson.

Though Johnson did not specify the exact date when the pool would be completed, he did say that he has been partnering with Kentucky Splash Water Park in an effort to direct guests to visit there.

Also to be renovated is the roof at Dupont Lodge. Johnson said that the entire lodge would be receiving a new roof. The roof in the Riverview Restaurant will also be taken out and replaced with a decorative ceiling. This will allow for better access to the $850,000 terrace that was recently added to the patio.

New blinds have also been added to the Riverview Restaurant, as well as new carpet to both the lodge and gift shop, and grills to the executive cottages. Johnson says they are adding new furniture to the patio and cottages, putting down new flooring in the rustic cottages and fire rings outside the executive cottages.

The railings and sidewalks are also to be redone and a retractable cable will replace the cable that is currently in place overlooking the falls.

“The cable system, which keeps everyone safe at the overlook of the falls… is an eyesore,” said Johnson. “We need something that’s presentable for all these guests coming in the park.”

Another renovation to take place at the park will be the replacement of the condemned conference building.

Other topics discussed at the luncheon were the addition of members to the chamber.

KOA Kentucky and the Southeast Kentucky Business Park are new members of the chamber. FCi Federal is also a new corporate sponsor. James Jackson was in attendance to represent FCi and receive the honorary plaque given by the chamber.

Lisa Harrison was in attendance to speak on the chamber directory and to announce the upcoming release of the chamber magazine at the end of July.

It was also announced that the Laurel Lake Camping Resort, a 90-acre property near the spillway, would have its grand opening Saturday.