BOISE -- Construction crews have started work on the new Ray Neef, MD River Recreation Park along the Boise river.
Crews are draining the Quinn pond near the Boise river to enforce the banks and bulldozers are busy moving earth.
For a number of years people have been talking about this white water park, now it's becoming a reality.
"We've been talking about doing this water park close to fifteen years," said Stan Kolby, owner of Idaho River Sports.
The sports shop is about 200 yards away from the Boise river and Kolby expects his business will double once the park is open.
Boise Superintendent of Parks, Tom Governale says once the $6.7 million park is done it will bring in thousands of visitors and a lot money.
"We talked with a number of other cities who have river recreation parks, and quite frankly they're not going to be as nice as this one, or quite as big," said Governale. "Those cities usually have a minimum economic impact of $1.5 million a year, sometimes up to $4 million."
Governale expects people to spend money on hotels, and on gas, and food as they stop to run the river. He says the park will be similar to the Truckee White Water Park in Reno, Nevada.
"Here, people were sort of afraid of the river," said Reno City Councilman Dave Aiazzi. "They've always been told they're not supposed to be in it. Once we built the white water park, we have thousands of people there now, everyday."
The Reno water park costs 1.5 million dollars. It was built in 2003 and brings in more than 70,000 visitors a year according to Aiazzi.
That's something Governale hopes to mimic or steal.
"We're hoping to steal some their tourism," said Governale.
River Park Funding
About $4.5 million is still needed for the $6.7 million project. The Ray Neef family has pledged $1 million, and Boise City will allocate $750,000 to the park. An additional $400,000 have been given by individual donors. The rest of the money is being raised by the volunteer organization Friends of Parks. If all the funding falls into place and construction goes as planned, the park could open spring of 2011.
Greenbelt Construction
Portions of the greenbelt will be closed during construction. Starting May 3, a spur path from Pleasanton St. to the river will be closed from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Mon-Fri, for 8-10 weeks.
