Wednesday, May 19, 1999
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Wednesday, May 19, 1999 |
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Three north Georgia parks spruced up
Amfac Parks and Resorts has completed a $2 million renovation program at three resorts at North Georgia state parks. The country's largest operator of national and state parks, Amfac funded the renovation project at the properties, which are owned by the North Georgia Mountain Authority, a division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Amfac took over management of the three properties last year. The renovation program at Unicoi State Park and Conference Center, Amicalola Falls State Park and Conference Center, and Red Top Mountain State Park and Conference Center enhanced guest rooms, public spaces and meeting rooms. At Unicoi, guest rooms and cottages were completely renovated including replacement of all furniture, fixtures and equipment. At Amicalola Falls, the renovation program included updated guest rooms and cottages. At Red Top Mountain, guest rooms, cabins, public areas, restaurant and meeting rooms were enhanced. Additionally, a new property management system was installed and all three resorts were brought to Y2K compliance levels. Along with the renovation program, the three resorts installed toll-free reservations numbers. "The reservation projects at the three North Georgia state parks is a reflection of the quality of our relationship with the North georgia Mountain Authority and the state of Georgia," said Rob Coyne, vice president of operations for resorts at Amfac. "It is our goal to work as partners with all of our clients and continue to improve their financial return as owners of these properties." To make reservations at Unicoi State Park phone 1-800-573-9656; at Red Top Mountain, 1-800-573-9658; and at Amicalola Falls, 1-800-573-9656. Callers can make reservations for rooms, cottages and campsites at any North Georgia state park lodge up to 11 months in advance of the travel date. This is not the first time Amfac has worked in partnership with its clients to improve the quality of the facilities it manages. Amfac funded a $14 million renovation to the food service facilities and gift shop at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, part of an exhaustive $60 million overhaul completed last year. At Yellowstone National Park, Amfac contributed $6 million supplementing $11 million returned from sales to fund construction of a new lodge in the Old Faithful geyser area. Amfac is also funding construction of a $3.7 million lodge at Yellowstone scheduled for completion this June. At Grand Canyon National Park, Amfac is funding a $1 million renovation of the Maswik Lodge on the park's South Rim. Just 35 miles from downtown Atlanta, Red Top Mountain park is situated on a 1,950-acre peninsula along Lake Allatoona and offers swimming, boating and fishing. The park offers a 33-room lodge, 18 cottages, restaurant and meeting facility. Activities include tennis, swimming, hiking, boating and fishing. Situated 1-1/2 hours north of Atlanta in Helen, Ga., Unicoi offers a 100-room lodge, 30 cottages, restaurant, meeting space, water activities, shopping in the nearby mountain craft shops, hiking, fishing and tennis. Only 54 miles from Atlanta, Amicalola takes its name from the Cherokee Indian word meaning "tumbling waters." The park is at the beginning of the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail. The 729-foot Amicalola Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains and is known as one of the seven wonders of Georgia. The park offers a 57-room lodge, 14 mountain cottages, restaurant, hiking, fishing and other activities. In addition to the three North Georgia parks, Amfac operates lodges, restaurants and other concessions at Grand Canyon, National Park, Mount Rushmore National memorial, Yellowstone national Park, Death Valley national Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Petrified Forest National Park and Everglades National Park. In addition, the company manages resorts in Napa, Calif.; Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Nebraska City, Neb.; and at eight Ohio state parks. For reservations at national park lodges other than Yellowstone, phone 1-303-297-2757 or visit Amfac's web site at http://www.amfac.com. Reservations at Yellowstone can be made by dialing 1-307-344-7311 or visiting its web site at http://www.travelyellowstone.com.
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