News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Construction of Fall Creek Falls’ new lodge is on track to be completed this fall.
Park Manager Jacob Young said work is moving along after a progress meeting was held Wednesday.
“Paint going up. Dry wall is up,” Young said. “The lobby area of this building is spectacular. These conference spaces, the restaurant and the little pool area in the back is amazing. Drive down, when you are coming down the hill, you actually look straight through the building. You can see the water on the other side.”
Young said the 85 room building will answer lodging needs for the park. Young said throughout the pandemic, most cabins have been 90 percent occupied.
“Immediately, it helps us spread out the crowd,” Young said. “Cause, we have a lot of people coming to the park. They have food options here, but they need some more and a bigger option to go sit down and eat. Having more food here is going to help. We are out of places for folks to stay. Our cabins have been near up in the 90 percent occupancy, and so is the businesses around us.”
Young said once completed, the building must be furnished and staffed. That makes the opening date unknown. Whenever that may be, Young said the lodge presents long term economic value to Van Buren County.
“They are going to go into the community and eat at other restaurants and shop at other businesses and visit other tourist attractions,” Young said. “It is going to do nothing, but continue to stimulate the local economy. It is going to be a big thing.”
As with many construction projects, Young said some delays have came from waiting for building materials. Young said local residents can view the progress for themselves by visiting the boat dock and cabin area.
