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By Morning Sentinel staff 04/18/2008

SKOWHEGAN -- As ice disappears from Maine rivers and the few remaining clumps of snow melt from the landscape, boaters and rafters again turn to the water for recreation.

And river enthusiasts seek support for their projects, such the $1.5 million proposed whitewater park in the Kennebec River Gorge downtown being promoted by the Run of River Committee.

The committee is waiting to apply for some of the $25 million Riverfront Community Development Bond money approved by the Legislature last fall, said Gregory Dore, who conceived the water park five years ago.

The group wants to raise money for a park model, which would cost at least $80,000, Dore said.

"We're at $22,000 right now and the last grant we applied for, they ran out of money," Dore said. "They were excited about the project, though, and asked us to reapply in 2009."

The model is necessary to make the whitewater park a reality, he said. "Once we have the model, then we have something tangible to sell."

The Riverfront Bond would be a good resource, Dore said. Eligible projects include parks and trails, access for boating and fishing, and environmentally sustainable economic activity.

Dore's Run of River Project, proposes to clean up the river, restore habitat, increase public access, improve hiking trails and construct a whitewater park, all in downtown Skowhegan.

Paul Brunetti, assistant to the commissioner of the Maine Department Economic and Community Development, said he expects the department will assemble an advisory board to oversee the bond next week.

He said preliminary discussions will focus on process, timelines and rulemaking so requests for community proposals can be sent out soon. Currently, he said, local projects require sponsorship by a state agency.

"We hope to streamline that a little more," Brunetti said. Two dollars of matching funds will be needed for every dollar applied for, including hard dollars or in-kind matches or both, he said.

"We've had a lot of interest from communities because many are service centers along a river," he said. "Skowhegan's got a whole lot going for it."

Meanwhile, the Run of River committee has begun organizing its second annual Skowhegan RiverFest to bring attention to the river, and whitewater park possibilities.

"RiverFest was a big success last year and the rafting company, Moxie Outdoor Adventures, is coming back this year," organizer Karen Hart said of the upcoming June 27, 28, 29 event.

"Last year they had only two boats, this year they plan to bring another."

The weekend begins on Friday with a "watering hole" gathering from 6 to 9 p.m. June 27 at the new Skowhegan Renaissance Center on Water Street downtown.

Three or four restaurants will be providing food and entertainment is planned, she said.

On Saturday, raft rides will be given all day and in the afternoon a boat parade will launch from the south side of the river near the walking bridge and travel to the state's boat launch of U.S. Route 2.

Saturday also will include a bike rodeo, rock-climbing walls and family events in the municipal parking lot, followed by a concert in Coburn Park. A nighttime "glow stick" river run will follow at 8:30 p.m., beginning at the boat launch on U.S. Route 2 and traveling down Wesserunsett Stream.

"So many people did it last year and it was really an awesome thing to see," Hart said. "We stood at the Half Moon Bridge and watched them go by with their boats all lighted up and decorated."

Sunday includes an 8 a.m. 5K road race in conjunction with Somerset Sports and Fitness and an 11 a.m. mountain bike ride that includes lunch. Other plans are forthcoming.

"The intent is not to make money, but to get people to start realizing the recreation opportunities on the river -- that it is accessible," Dore said. "The more we do, the more interest we get. It just strengthens the idea that this is what Skowhegan needs. We need the whitewater park and it's going to happen. It can't happen soon enough, but I'm very confident it's going to happen."

Darla L. Pickett -- 474-9534, Ext. 341

dpickett@centralmaine.com

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