State officials have told Senator Ron Stollings that the Riverview Country Club deal cannot go forward with state funds, but other avenues are still open.

Stollings had gone forward with a plan to secure $2 million in state funds to purchase the public golf course, just off Rt. 17 between Madison and Jeffrey. The proposal was to turn the club into a public park, retaining the golf course, and adding a fitness center, public pool, picnic areas and other recreational opportunities.

After the funds were secured, a board would be appointed to run the park as a 501c3 tax exempt entity. "This would allow us to raise funds from the public as well as applying for grants from state and federal coffers," Stollings told CVN Monday.

As is often the case, there are sometimes problems with ambitious plans such as that proposed by the senator, and recently, state officials discovered one problem that could possibly have derailed it. "The state still wants to give us $2 million," the senator said. "However, it cannot be used to purchase the golf course itself. We were told recently that the funds could not be used to buy golf courses or build swimming pools."

The senator pointed out that while the monies could not be used to buy the course itself, "it could be used to buy property behind it, which could be utilized to build a more manageable 9-hole course which our board wanted to try anyway."

He also noted that there may be funds available to improve the bridge over Powell Creek for the nearby residents as well as the golf course area.

While Stollings said the best idea for the funds would be to purchase the Rt. 17 property other projects in the county are being considered. "We have looked at a project at the mouth of Rock Creek, as well as improvements to the Madison-Scott High complex and to WaterWays." The Madison-Scott complex is believed to be an improvement to the baseball field at Lick Creek. In addition to the ball field, the complex is used for the Boone County Fair as well as numerous horse shows throughout the year.

Recently, county commissioners secured funds to build an addition to their nature trails at WaterWays Park, just off U.S. 119. County Administrator Jim Gore said the commissioners envision a number of additions to the swimming pools, picnic areas and the trails. "We have more than enough land at the park to have numerous attractions to give the public a vast number of recreational opportunities," Gore said. "If the Riverview project doesn’t come to pass, we would like to be considered for the funding.

Gore said commissioners have sent a letter to Gov. Manchin’s office seeking tax dollars to fund a number of projects near the water park. "For many years educators and public groups have told us an outdoor theater, like the one at Chief Logan State Park would be a great idea." Every summer, theater groups hold plays and musicals at the facility located inside Chief Logan. These plays attract thousands of music and theater aficionados every summer. "As a matter of fact, the commissioners want to build an amphitheater on the scale of the one at Grandview State Park," Gore pointed out. He said preliminary plans for the amphitheater have already been drawn up and the proposed cost for the facility is $1 million.

While commissioners are seeking the money, they have not stopped improving WaterWays. Gore said this week "workers are clearing timber for a large soccer field at the park and we are looking into the feasibility of a cross-country track as well."

"We are gratified that Senator Stollings is working hard to bring tax dollars to improve Boone County," Gore said. "At this time we have not be contacted by the senator about what the state will permit with the $2 million grant. Whichever way it goes, we do support Senator Stollings’ efforts and stand ready to help however possible. We will write letters and are prepared to act as the pass-through agencies for any funds he might secure for the residents of our county."

The senator said that taxpayers should not lose hope. "We are trying to capitalize on what’s available for Boone County. The people here deserve the best and we will not stop until they get it."