Mayor Corker unveils plans for Outdoor Chattanooga building in Renaissance Park

4/7/2005

Chattanooga, TN—Mayor Bob Corker and Rob Healy, Executive Director of Outdoor Chattanooga today unveiled plans for a new Outdoor Center which will be located in the heart of Renaissance Park on the North Shore.   

The concept of creating a facility for citizens and visitors to better understand the numerous outdoor amenities that exist in the region came from a series of public meetings held one year ago.  Though not part of the 21st Century Waterfront plan or timeline, the new facility will be housed on the Renaissance Park site and tremendously complement the transformative waterfront development which is nearing completion. 

The new 6,200 square foot facility will employ an environmentally sensitive design and will operate as a destination and resource for information regarding the region’s rich natural, educational and recreational opportunities and amenities.  Adjacent to the building will be an outdoor pavilion, administrative offices and a conference library and an audio-visual projection room.  Powerfully complementing the organization’s mission, the Outdoor Chattanooga complex will also offer three multi-purpose areas for educational, recreational and social activities including a 100 person meeting/banquet hall, an education exhibit room, a covered porch with an outdoor hearth, and an open-air fire pit. 

Groundbreaking for the new building is scheduled for September and opening for the new state-of-the-art facility is planned for the summer of 2006.   

During the media conference, Mayor Corker and Mr. Healy also introduced the newly appointed Advisory Committee for Outdoor Chattanooga (see attached list).  The Committee is made up of a broad cross-section of people throughout the region who are outdoor stakeholders, enthusiasts and ambassadors. 

The mission of Outdoor Chattanooga is to make outdoor recreation an attractive, healthy, and distinguishing lifestyle for Chattanooga’s residents and visitor population.  This, in turn, will maintain and enhance the value of the region’s natural and built resources, and help grow the region’s economy. 

###