Business Plan for Run of River Whitewater Recreation Area Prepared by Main Street Skowhegan on behalf of the Run of River Committee February 2017 Run of River Business Plan Table of Contents Business Plan for Run of River Whitewater Recreation Area ............................................................................ 1 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Run of River: Skowhegan’s Future ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Overview ................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 The Kennebec River Gorge ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Preliminary Planning and Investment .............................................................................................................................. 8 $10.7 Million Preliminary Investment .......................................................................................................................... 8 Steady Progress for Future Success ............................................................................................................................ 8 Recreation Area Proposed Elements ................................................................................................................................ 9 Run of River Features ....................................................................................................................................................... 10 Whitewater Play Park ................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Permitting and Final Design ............................................................................................................................................................. 11 Pre-permitting ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Permitting ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Final Design and Physical Model ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Estimated Time for Completion .............................................................................................................................................. 11 Construction of Whitewater Features, Terraced Seating, Trails ......................................................................... 12 Slalom Course .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Recreational Trail Development ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 Debe River Walk Trail ........................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Philbrick Trails ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Comprehensive Recreational Trail Study .............................................................................................................................. 13 Boathouse / Event Center ...................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Boathouse/Event Center Specs & Features ...................................................................................................................... 14 Boathouse/Event Center Benefits ............................................................................................................................................. 14 Riverfront Promenade ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Phase One ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Phase Two ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Local, Regional, and Statewide Impact ........................................................................................................................ 16 Spurring Economic Development .............................................................................................................................. 18 Tourism as Economic Development .............................................................................................................................................. 19 Opportunities for Expanded Recreational Business .......................................................................................................... 20 Promoting Health & Wellness via Outdoor Recreation ................................................................................... 20 Engaging Local Youth ....................................................................................................................................................... 21 Cultivating a Vibrant Community and Bolstering Town Pride ...................................................................... 22 Restoring Natural Habitat .............................................................................................................................................. 23 Facility for Training and Swiftwater Rescue Certification .............................................................................. 23 Vision for the Kennebec River Corridor ........................................................................................................................ 23 Somerset County Tourism Product Development and Planning ................................................................ 24 Somerset County Tourism Growth Committee ..................................................................................................................... 24 Somerset Cultural Planning .................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Kennebec Valley Tourism Council .................................................................................................................................................. 24 Collaborating for Future Success .............................................................................................................................. 25 Leveraging Regional Assets to Drive Visitation ................................................................................................... 25 Market Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Industry Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Outdoor Recreation Industry ............................................................................................................................................................... 26 Paddling Industry .................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Tourism Industry ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 28 Maine Tourism ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Page 2 – DRAFT Run of River Business Plan Adventure Travel ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Competitive Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................ 29 Direct Competitors: Whitewater Parks ........................................................................................................................................