Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis said that the planned project to convert the former golf course at Shawnee State Park is still happening, despite delays caused by COVID-19.
That new direction for the property includes plans for a paddleboard and kayaking course. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources presented a plan to Commissioners last January that included presented a plan that included upgrades to the marina, a zipline over the marina, an amphitheater, and luxury campsites. The campsites would accommodate RVs over 50’ in length and be year-round facilities. There are even plans for a virtual archery range. Right now, however, those ideas are still just ideas.
Plans On Track
At Tuesday’s Commissioners’ meeting, Davis said he’d just spoken with an assistant director at ODNR and was assured the work is still on track. “Things are proceeding. ”
Davis said the delay is due to permits and that delays were expected. “They did say it would take some time.”
The Commissioner said he expressed concerns that cuts in state funding due to COVID-19 could delay the project. “The one question I had was funding. With COVID and all that, I worried how funding would work.”
He said ODNR assured him that the money is there. “Funding is still in place to get us through phase one and a half, halfway through.”
ODNR officials said they must wait to see how much money is allocated in the state’s budget. The budget is late due to the effects of COVID-19. Again, Davis said he was assured that the project is a priority. “They are committed to finding the funds to keep the progress and the construction going at that park. Even if they have to look at other buckets of money. They made a decision. They are rolling with that decision. We just have to make sure we keep up with it.”
