Lake Lanier in the background with blue skies, Georgia red clay with footings for the new LLOP Boathouse.

Lake Lanier Olympic Park’s boathouse is coming out of the ground.

With an eye toward the continuing growth and expansion of Lake Lanier Olympic Park, the Lake Lanier Olympic Park Foundation has announced a capital campaign. By creating the Olympic Legacy Club, early supporters will be acknowledged through a variety of physical recognitions for their investments in the park.

“We’ve created three club member levels so that our supporters can continue to be recognized through the years,” said Robyn Lynch, director of Tourism for the city of Gainesville. “As we carry on the legacy of the 1996 Summer Games, we celebrate the community for its support in helping the Olympic Park remain an active and viable legacy for future generations.”

Gold Founding Members, who make a donation of $2,500, will have their name on a plaque in the Legacy Room at the Boathouse as well as a nameplate on the original 1996 Olympic park bench, limited to 17.

Silver Supporting Members, who make a donation of $1,000, will have their name on a plaque in the Legacy Room at the Boathouse as well as a 12-by-12 Commemorative Brick with the inscription of their choice.

Bronze Patron Members, who make a donation of $500, will have their name on a plaque in the Legacy Room at the Boathouse and a Commemorative Brick with the inscription of their choice.

“Custom giving levels are also available,” Lynch said. “This campaign is designed to support the next phase of improvements and to allow the community to make their own mark at Lake Lanier Olympic Park.”

The new capital campaign will help fund walking paths along the water that will connect the boat ramp to the roundabout, plus additional enhancements to the 80-by-40 pavilion, including lights, fans and seating. Lakeside benches will also be installed.

Boathouse construction continues

Scheduled to open in 2024, the boathouse has been designed to blend in to the residential and natural environment of the site. It will have space for both clubs, a covered entrance for visitor drop-off and pick-up, amenities for visiting teams and athletes, plus locker rooms and restrooms.

As an event facility, it will also have a catering kitchen, a ballroom that can seat 400, a service entrance for catering, bands and other vendors, a catering kitchen, indoor gathering area with a fireplace, brides/meeting room, an executive board room and Legacy Hall. The outdoor covered terrace with a fireplace can seat 137 and the patio can seat 72.

The building has been raised four feet to eliminate flooding concerns. A paved parking lot will add 92 more spaces.

For more information or to become a member of the Olympic Legacy Club, visit www.Lakelanierolympicvenue.org.

Photo: by Alan Hope