Governor Beshear’s office and Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Russ Meyer recently announced, beginning in September, Lake Barkley State Resort Park would begin a $17 million renovation — one scheduled to enhance the visitor experience.
During Monday afternoon’s Cadiz-Trigg County Tourist Commission meeting, Park Manager Ashley Joiner gave more detail on what’s to come — as long-deferred maintenance will eventually get brushed away with sweeping changes.
She said architectural and engineering designs “still have a ways to go,” but plans are in place for main lodge, pool and other exterior upgrades — all of which were approved in the 2024 legislative session.
Already, she noted interior and exterior designers have been hired on in order to vet and the project through, but a major interior guest room renovation will have to come in a later chapter.
Among the toughest challenges coming, Joiner added, will be the expected closure of the park and its many guest rooms.
During the renovation period, lodging in the cabins, cottages and the Little River Lodge will still be available, while all other facilities will remain open — including the Windows on the Water restaurant, beach, campgrounds, golf course, marina, hiking trails and the convention center.
However, the closure is expected to last a minimum of one year, and will result in the freezing of some jobs.
Furthermore, according to Tourism Director Beth Sumner, nearly 25% of Trigg County’s transient room tax collection comes from those room rentals — meaning a sincere loss of revenue is expected during that period.
Joiner is cognizant of this possible stress.
Temporary and seasonal labor, she said, will also need a new home for a time.
Bids for the different projects are expected to go out at the end of February and/or early March, with the potential for two general contractors likely necessary — one for the pool, and one for everything else.
Sumner and Joiner both confirmed that Trigg County Judge-Executive Stan Humphries is aware of the situation at hand, particularly with the likely fiscal year lost in tax revenue.
In other tourism news:
— Under suggestion from Sumner, board members unanimously approved for Explorations Media Group, LLC, out of Murray, to take design responsibilities of “gocadiz.com.” Specializing in western Kentucky tourism website creation, Sumner said there will be a complete overhaul of a WordPress template that will come online in the next 8-to-12 weeks, and will be easier to control from their office on US 68/80. Total price tag: $9,200.
— Board member Matt Ladd, also serving Parks & Recreation, confirmed the West Cadiz Park is “near completion,” with a ribbon cutting coming at a later date. With a soft rubber surface means no more sand, and Ladd noted he’s most excited about the ADA compliance being met with this rebuild. This renovation, he added, also means there’s “more room for the playground to grow,” and that the committee has full plans to attack another project once this is opened to the public.
— Jamie Lewis, director of guest services, said the winter months were “rather decent” for visits and inquiries to Trigg County. Travelers from 12 states came through the area, as did families from Australia and Saskatchewan, Canada. More than 1,500 travel information requests were made and mailed out to various parties.
