The Deep Creek Blog

Deep Creek 2014 Announces Events and Programming

Deep Creek 2014, the host event production company for the 2014 Canoe/Kayak Whitewater Slalom World Championships, announces events and programming for the May pre-World's Test event and USA Team Selection to be held May 17-19 at the Adventure Sports Center International. 

Deep Creek 2014 and the Adventure Sports Center International will host the 2013 USA Canoe/Kayak Slalom Team Trials and Deep Creek Open on May 17-19, 2013. 

Athletes from all over the US will be competing along with 3 Olympic Gold Medalists.

The USACK Senior Team Trials is open to USA athletes and will serve as the selection for the 2013 National Slalom Team.

Admission is free and there will be food, beer, and great music in addition to Olympic level whitewater action. This will be an event you won’t want to miss!

In addition to the racing, Deep Creek 2014 announces these other activities:

Media Day -- May 17, 11am-2pm
Open invitation to all regional and local media outlets to come and learn about media opportunities and the significant impact of the World Championships on our region. The World Championships will put Garrett County on the world stage as we play host to over 40 international countries, 21.5 million broadcast viewers and the largest inbound sporting event to be held in the United States in 2014.

Media Day will feature a general presentation by Deep Creek 2014’s Executive Director Todd Copley and will be followed by a VIP lunch at the Island Tent with a brief presentation by Joe Jacobi, US gold medalist and current CEO of USA Canoe/Kayak.

Media must pre-register by going to Media Day at DeepCreek2014.com. Special lodging rates are also offered through our WISP Resort partner.

Community Open House -- May 18, 11am-2pm
An opportunity for local businesses, civic organizations and Garrett County's general public to learn more about the preparations for the World's Event and see the infrastructure improvements necessary to host a World Championship. Recently Deep Creek 2014 and the Adventure Sports Center International were awarded a one million dollar State Bond to support necessary capital projects at the venue.

Includes a presentation by Executive Director of Deep Creek 2014, Todd Copley

Children’s Adventure Series and Kids Day at The Races -- May 19, 11am-2pm
A great day for local and regional school aged children to come see the Adventure Sports Center International and have a chance to meet and see Olympic athletes and paddlers. Kids will get a great overview of the sport of Slalom Canoe and Kayak and have unlimited access to the interior Island and close viewing of the action. Admission is free and includes a free hot dog and drink for the kids. 

 

 

State Bond to Support Deep Creek 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom Championship Event

The Garrett County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce Maryland’s legislative approval of a one million dollar State Bond submitted by the county’s elected representatives to support the Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) and its preparation to host the 2014 International Canoe Federation’s (ICF) Canoe Slalom World Championships. The event, to be held September 16 – 21, 2014 will bring competitors and spectators from around the world to Garrett County.

The ICF awarded the 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships to ASCI following presentations at its April 2011 board meeting in Paris, France. The ICF selected ASCI’s “Deep Creek 2014: ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships” bid over competing entries from Vienna, Austria and Krakow, Poland. ICF 2013 Championships are being held in Prague, Czech Republic; the 2015 ICF Championships are being held in London, United Kingdom.

“Hosting this international event is a big honor for Garrett County and for the western Maryland district,” commented Maryland State Senator and State Bond Bill co-sponsor George Edwards. “I am confident that this funding will be well-used, and that the event will have an significant, long-term, and positive impact on regional economic development.”

“We are so proud to have made a successful bid for the ICF 2014 event,” remarked Commissioner Gregan Crawford. “This State Bond funding underscores how important the ICF event will be in showcasing the ASCI facility, our beautiful county, and the Mountain Maryland region.”

When disbursed later this summer, State Bond proceeds will be used to partially fund approximately $2.6M in important infrastructure improvements to the ASCI whitewater course and facilities as well as vehicle access roads and pedestrian walkways. Deep Creek Lake 2014 and county economic development staffers are working diligently to secure the balance of funding from other public and private sources.

“These improvements will enable the ASCI facility to take a big step forward,” remarked Deep Creek 2014 event Executive Director, Todd Copley. “The State Bond funding will not only ensure we’re ready to host a world-class sporting event in 2014, it will ensure the facility is ready to attract and host similar caliber events into the future.”

Chamber Hosts Next Business After Hours at ASCI on May 16

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announced that Adventure Sports Center International will be hosting the next Business After Hours on May 16 from 6 pm – 8 pm.

Enjoy catering by DC’s Bar and Restaurant and learn more about ASCI’s activities including whitewater rafting, rock climbing, hiking, biking, and more.   ASCI is home to international-caliber whitewater events, festivals and adventure sport competitions. Inspired by the dramatic history and traditions from 40 years of whitewater exploration and racing in Garrett County, ASCI hosts national and international caliber events, as well as races, competitions and festivals for children, developing athletes, families, businesses and weekend warriors.

The cost is $6.00 for members paid in advance and $10 for non-members and members paying at the door. Register online at visitdeepcreek.com or contact Charlotte Sebold by May 14 by emailing charlotte@garrettchamber.com or calling 301.387.6171.

ASCI Opens May 12

ASCI opens Saturday, May 12 for the 2012 season.  Reservations can be made online at www.adventuresportscenter.com or by calling   301.387.3250.  Preseason rates apply at $45 per person. 

Garrett County Commissioners' Statement on ASCI

The following statement was posted on the Garrett County website yesterday:

On January 5, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Adventure Sports Center International, Inc. (“ASCI”), a Maryland not-for-profit corporation organized and operating as a tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporation, offered full title to the facilities to the Board of County Commissioners of Garrett County, Maryland (the “County”). Since that date the County has considered the ASCI offer, reviewed all information available to the County concerning ASCI’s facilities, it’s assets, it’s liabilities, it’s current and long-term value to the County and the community, and has consulted with ASCI’s financial partners. As a part of that process, ASCI’s principal financial partners, First United Bank & Trust and Susquehanna Bank, proposed and offered significant debt reduction opportunities to the County in the event that the County accepted the ASCI offer. The financial partners, who have contributed significantly to the process and the County’s consideration of this matter, have agreed to accept the assignment of debt in the sum of $600,000 in full satisfaction of ASCI’s debt obligations to those financial institutions. Based upon the ASCI offer and with the assistance of the financial institutions, the County has agreed to terms with the ASCI Board of Directors which will permit the County to operate ASCI.

“ASCI has far more to offer then rafting,” stated Commissioner Chairman, Jim Raley, “The preoccupation in servicing the debt and in striving to resolve it in turn hampered ASCI’s ability to market itself and grow its programming. The generous offer from First United Bank and Trust and Susquehanna Bank have created an opportunity not only for a solution to be created but ASCI can now concentrate more on its core offerings,” he continued. “ASCI is a recreational and educational asset to the county, the region and the State of Maryland that possess a tremendous amount of untapped potential.”

The financial obligations of ASCI to the County will be satisfied from hotel/motel accommodations tax revenue which is restricted and designated by State statute for economic development and the promotion of tourism. No County real property tax revenue will be directed to satisfy this obligation. There have been questions by the Board appropriating additional funds to the Garrett County Public School System relative the 5-Year Plan proposed by the Board of Education. Hotel/motel accommodations tax revenue cannot be directed to the Garrett County Public School System therefore, a funding comparison between education and /economic development/tourism is not relative to this discussion.

The County believes that, based upon available information, the revenues generated by the operation of ASCI, after satisfaction of the debt obligations to the ASCI financial partners, will allow ASCI to continue to be a substantial contributor to the maintenance and development of the Garrett County economy. The revenues generated by the ASCI activities, rafting, hiking, and other outdoor activities, are sufficient to maintain and sustain its operations without the use of County funds. The value of the
ASCI facilities and assets is estimated to be approximately $24 million.

“For the upcoming 2012 season ASCI will play host no less than 9 events of regional and national significance- The Savageman Triathlon, Team River Runner Rendezvous, and the Maryland Open - Canoe and Kayak Championships are a few,” mentioned Commissioner Crawford. 

“Environmental education opportunities continue to grow for school children as do opportunities for college level programming with Garrett College. Internationally” he continued, “the credibility of ASCI is gaining as evidenced by being awarded to host the International Canoe Federation’s (ICF) “Canoe Slalom World Championships” in 2014. We are excited to bring these races back to Garrett County and to the State of Maryland on the 25th anniversary of the world championship on the Savage River.”

County to Take Over ASCI

In the Times-News today -  Garrett County will assume ownership the Adventure Sports Center International, with more details to come at a meeting next Tuesday.  

 

Tom Wallisch Wins Gold at Winter X Games

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has an article on  Tom Wallisch and his recent Gold at the Winter X Games.   Wallisch is a native of Pittsburgh and started out at Wisp as a kid.   If you missed it, here's a video from the event. 

 

Adventure Sports Center International Defaults

ASCI announced that it has defaulted on loan payments and change of ownership may be in the works.   The Center will reportedly remain open. 

ASCI in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Post-Gazette ran this article on the Adventure Sports Center yesterday. 

Eagles Putting on Show at Savage Reservoir

All Earth Eco Tours reports they've been spotting a lot of junior Bald Eagles on their kayak trips on the Savage Reservoir. 

ASCI Hosts Maryland Canoe and Kayak State Championships this Weekend

The 2011 Maryland Canoe and Kayak State Championships are scheduled for this Saturday at ASCI. 

Garrett Trails Website

The Garrett Trails new website is up and running with a lot of information for anyone interested in local trails.   Visit it at www.garretttrails.org. 

Special Whitewater Releases this Weekend

From Precision Rafting: 

The Upper Yough will have a bonus Saturday release as the lake is full and the power company needs to let out some water.  This is a non scheduled release but will be a good one.  The Savage is going to be released on Sunday for six hrs and will be a great day for rafting. This is the first of three and it is not to busy so it will be a great time. The weather forecast is in the low 80's and lots of sunshine a beautiful day for rafting and a perfect trip for anyone.

We still have room on all the trips and would love to show you great time on the river. This is going to be a great weekend for rafting so give us a call 800 477 3723

ASCI to Host International Canoe Event

Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI)  will host the 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships — 25 years after the event was held on the Savage River in 1989. The International Canoe Federation selected ASCI after reviewing competing bids for the 2014 event from Vienna (Austria) and Krakow (Poland).

"Garrett County has done more than any other rural community in the U.S. to build infrastructure to host international-caliber whitewater events," said Matt Taylor, ASCI's executive director and a two-time Olympic canoe racer. "We have a perfect whitewater venue for the return of the World Championships."

Scheduled to be held Sept. 16-21, 2014, the canoe championships coincides with Maryland's Star-Spangled Banner 200 celebration — the bicentennial anniversary of the writing of the National Anthem. A relay across water and land will start at Fort McHenry and end in the town of McHenry, ASCI's home. The relay will bring a Star-Spangled banner to the opening ceremony of the event.

Swallow Falls in Winter

Can't make it to Garrett County in the winter?  Here's a video of Swallow Falls State Park from the Cumberland Times-News.  Also, Everything Deep Creek Blog has a post about about a recent excursion with All-Earth Eco Tours in the park.