Whitewater Center eyes expansion
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Whitewater Center generated roughly $270 million in economic impact, per Virginia Tech economic impact study. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
The U.S. National Whitewater Center had a busy 2024 and isn't done expanding its footprint locally and outside of Charlotte.
Why it matters: The Olympic training site is a popular destination for Charlotteans and visitors alike, attracting 1.4 million people in 2024, according to a recent presentation at a Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission Meeting.
State of play: Future expansion over the next decade could include an indoor climbing facility, environmental education center, conference and event facility, plus a leadership development center.
- These additions would cost at least $25 million, Whitewater CEO Jeff Wise tells Axios.
- There isn't a definitive timeline for these projects.
Context: The 1,000-acre site is known for whitewater rafting on a massive manmade river, flat-water kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on the Catawba River, 40 miles of trails, rock climbing, zip-lining, massive jumps, free solo, live music, outdoor films, races, yoga and dining.
- Last year the facility had a few major additions: Wildwoods, which is open to all, but caters to little ones and includes a treehouse village and a 70-acre off-leash dog park, as well as Overlook Barn, a new event space.
Between the lines: Whitewater leases 266 acres from the county for $1 annually, as the Ledger reported. There are 19 years remaining on the lease.
- The Whitewater Center's main hub, which includes the manmade river, sits on county-owned land.
Zoom out: Whitewater's footprint also includes Santee, a 323-acre retreat in Huger, South Carolina, on the Cooper River; Windfall, a 450-acre retreat in the North Carolina and Virginia mountains; and Pisgah, a 6-acre lodge in the Pisgah National Forest.
- Whitewater Bike Ranch is expected to open this spring in Abingdon, Virginia. The 500-acre outdoor center will start with 15 miles of trails and grow to around 50, Wise says.
- Whitewater has been approached about a project in Raleigh, which Wise declined to comment further on. It would be an "estimated $350 million" project per figures in the recent presentation to the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission.