Gold Hill, Ore. — One man’s dream of making a portion of the Rogue River that flows through Gold Hill training grounds for gold medal winners is closer to reality.
Steve Kiesling, President of Gold Hill White Water Center, is hoping to turn T’ilomikh Falls into a world class white water park and Olympic training course.
“Bottom line is we are all people of the river and this is really magnet to help people play,” Kiesling said.
He said this part of the river already has the flow, the power, and the excitement and risk level to be a world class park.
“You can think of it as a 5,000 or 5,600 horsepower engine running 24/7,” Kiesling said.
Kiesling would like to see a new parking lot and a bridge to the island for spectators. But before anything can be changed he has to get approval. Tuesday, he will pitch his idea to federal, state, and local agencies.
“It could be that it’s not going to work but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think we can do this,” Kiesling said.
He also hopes the park and training course could generate some new business in town. He said if all goes according to plan he hopes they can have the parking lot and bridge built by this summer.
“Gold Hill desperately needs help and this is the kind of economic stimulus that can do that,” he said.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.