30th Anniversary – Lake Lanier Olympic Park

In the three decades since the Centennial Olympic Games stirred the waters of Lake Lanier, the temporary venue where athletes paddled and rowed to pursue their dreams has evolved into a community treasure. Lake Lanier Olympic Park stands not just as a top tourism revenue producer but as a local jewel hosting concerts, festivals, weddings, reunions, corporate events, triathlons and more. It remains a major site for national and international rowing and canoe/kayak competitions. NCAA rowing champions who posed on the winner’s circle in May are among those whose labors have struck gold at the park. It took vision, endurance, money, connections, and organization to polish the park into the gem it is today. Lakeside News asked some of the park’s local champions to comment on the eve of its 30th anniversary. The paper also checked archives for quotes from key individuals who have passed on. Quotes were edited for clarity and brevity. Here’s what they had to say about their contributions, the park’s importance and significant improvements:

Steve Gilliam. “As one of the founding members of Gainesville Hall 96 it was our goal for the venue to last beyond the Olympic Games for the community, the rowing and canoe/kayak clubs, and future events. Jim Mathis and I met with representatives of the Atlanta Olympic Committee and city and county parks directors who would manage it after the Olympics, and architect Jack Pyburn a rower who was instrumental in the selection of the venue location, on the design and construction of the boat house and tower for about two years.”

“It’s a tribute to the volunteer spirit and hospitality of the people of Gainesville and Hall County, which became known as the Hospitality Capital of the World during the 1996 Olympics. It continues to welcome not only local residents but also people from the nation and around the world.”

“The most significant improvements initially were the upgrades to the tower and stands, then the pavilion facing east where the competition occurs. Most recently the beautiful boathouse facing west.”

The late Jim Mathis, Jr. (from a Lakeside interview for LLOP 25th anniversary story and earlier interviews). Mathis co-founded the organization that courted Olympic committees to bring events to Lanier. He admitted he had never seen a rower in his life until he met the U.S. Olympic Committee at a 1991 regatta. “It was the best cold call anyone could make,” he said. When Olympic organizers pondered building a lake for flatwater competition, “I got a quart jar of Lake Lanier water and put it on (an organizer’s desk) and told him, ‘We have water, they don’t.’ It worked!”

With Gilliam, he continued as an advisor years after Gainesville Hall ’96 grew into a foundation beyond its Olympic origin. “I’m so happy,” he said about the park’s progression. “ It’s exciting, it’s wonderful to see the community come together to support the venue. The most important thing about the Olympics was the community spirit which brought 2,000 volunteers together. That’s what I’ll remember forever. The renovated LLOP is beautiful.”

The late Danny Dunagan. As city council member and mayor Dunagan supported the city’s involvement with LLOP from 2006-2025. He also served on the Gainesville-Hall ’96 board. During his tenures, LLOP underwent major renovations and welcomed international and national canoe/kayak and rowing competitions.

“It’s nights like this that make me proud to be mayor of Gainesville,” he told attendees at an Olympic canoe/kayak qualifier in 2016. “I thank every athlete, coach school and person who has kept this dream alive for so many years.”

Connie Hagler. The former decade-plus executive director of the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club was part of the founding group that helped bring the Olympics to the park. She multitasked as a LCKC team builder, venue booster, parent to Olympic hopefuls, event coordinator, and occasional fixer upper when leaks sprang at the old boathouse. “We helped form the first national championship teams and support the first national and Olympic team athletes. We worked to bring national and international events that helped give a baseline for further investment in the venue.” She added that without the efforts of her husband, Richard Hagler, an LCKC president and organizer, she would not have been able to do the things she did.

“It’s a place of immense natural beauty. It’s a place for children to learn to be a part of a team, learn to work hard, learn how to win. It’s a special resource to allow our community to interact with nations throughout the world and show true hospitality, making the world a smaller and better place. It’s a great place for families to flourish in athletics and events and for our community to gather!” The most significant improvement “has to be that new boathouse. It’s stunning, gorgeous, absolutely beautiful!”

John Ferriss. The former Cornell University rowing coach took the helm of the Lake Lanier Rowing Club in 2001 and served in many capacities: instructor, executive director, regatta director, course installer, and, with Hagler, as an occasional handyman at the original boathouse. LLRC initiated a namesake spring regatta in his honor. He said of his main contributions: “In the early days … it was helping keep an eye on the park. Now I see it as sustaining local regional and national interest in rowing through LLRC events and programs. To a lesser extent maintaining the racecourse.”

He believes LLOP is vital as a U.S. standard competition course for rowing and canoe/kayak. “The clubs hosted at LLOP are integral in fulfilling that goal.”

“Three (significant) improvements were building of the stands for the 2003 (canoe/kayak) world championships, the new boathouse, and other park improvements including docks that enable programs and events.”

Mimi Collins. The 13-year executive director of the Lanier Park Foundation, formerly Gainesville Hall ’96, first got excited about LLOP through her family’s involvement with LCKC. Under her direction, the foundation launched an ambitious multi-million-dollar renovation campaign, hired the first venue manager, secured the city’s management of the park and resultant funding from Gainesville’s hotel/motel tax, and expanded the culture beyond the sports that established it.

“The successes have really been the result of many efforts and contributions toward common strategic goals. While it takes my breath away seeing what has been accomplished in just over 10 years, that success was made possible by the work started in 1993-1995. That vision of doing something big and bold and doing it for a lasting legacy has inspired us all.”

“LLOP is important as a lasting legacy and as an investment in our community and its citizens. I dare to say that you could not find another place like it. Not only is it the site for national and international rowing and canoe/kayak, it is also a recreational area for individuals and families and now with The Boathouse, a business and event space unlike any other in the region.”

“The most important improvement in the last 30 years was the initial investment this community made to Clarks Bridge Park that allowed us to host the Olympics.  That is what started it all. While the only remaining structure is the tower, this investment showed us what we could do as a community. I believe the tower stands as a continued inspiration for everything that has come since.”

Morgan House. The former Olympic hopeful grew up racing kayaks with LCKC, coached the sport, and served as the first LLOP venue manager. “I’d like to think I’ve helped, even in small ways, improve the experience for athletes and the community. My aim was just to contribute wherever I could and leave things a little better than I found them. It also means a lot to me that my son, Liam, is now involved and enjoys being part of  LCKC, because that’s exactly the kind of lasting impact I’d hope to be part of.”

“(LLOP) is important because it is one of the only remaining venues from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics still used for its original purpose, preserving a unique international legacy for rowing and canoe/kayak. It continues to host major events and programs that drive tourism and economic impact for Gainesville, but also provides athletes with the opportunity to train, compete, and pursue their dreams at a world-class facility.”

Two upgrades stand out: The addition of the grandstands and the new boathouse and expanded facilities, “which transformed LLOP from an historic Olympic site into a modern, multi-use venue hosting major events and driving year-round economic impact.”

Robyn Lynch. The Gainesville Tourism Director and former park manager has labored as a champion for LLOP sustainability and growth. She helped guide master plan completion and brought together the city, Olympic Park Foundation, rowing and canoe/kayak clubs, Corps of Engineers, and local stakeholders to move that plan into action. As tourism director, she has worked to strengthen the park’s future as a competitive venue, including leading the bid process that secured the 2026 NCAA Women’s Rowing National Championships.

“LLOP preserves and celebrates our Olympic legacy. It remains one of Gainesville’s most‑visited destinations and welcomes thousands of athletes each year, generating more than $3 million annually in economic impact,” she said.

“The Boathouse, completed in 2024, stands out as the most significant enhancement. It serves as home to both clubs, fuels the Olympic spirit for members and visiting athletes, and is a popular venue for community events and corporate meetings.”

1996 Olympic Photos: by Alan Hope