West Virginia Division of Natural Resources www.wvdnr.gov

Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release: May 4, 2006

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Ken Caplinger, Parks and Recreation Section Acting Chief (304) 558-2764 parks@westvirginia.com

Governor Announces $6-Million Expansion Project
At Twin Falls Resort State Park

Mullens, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin today announced a $6-million expansion project for Twin Falls Resort State Park near Mullens in Wyoming County. “Twin Falls is already a popular destination resort park for many travelers in the eastern United States, and this expansion will provide more and better facilities to further enhance Twin Falls as a southern West Virginia tourist destination,” the governor said during a ceremony at the park lodge.

The goals for the project include:

· expansion of the number of lodge guest rooms from 20 to 50;

· providing quality guest rooms to meet with expectations of a resort park;

· providing an indoor pool, spa and fitness center;

· resolving accessibility problems by incorporating elevator and connecting structure to serve the existing facility;

· providing a courtesy facility to park and wash all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Funding for the project will come from a previous $3-million Economic Infrastructure Grant and approximately $3-million in additional funding that is being recommended by the governor and which is expected to be appropriated in the upcoming special session of the legislature. If the funding comes through as expected, bids on the project will be taken by January 1, 2007, with construction to begin by April 1, 2007, and construction to be completed by June 1, 2008.

“We predict that when this project is completed, Twin Falls will be able to operate at virtual break even, compared to it’s current 55 to 60 percent self-sufficiency rate,” said Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “That means the park would require little or none of the annual operating subsidy that it currently must be provided. This project will improve the park’s drawing power, occupancy rate and revenue generation while increasing the economic impact of tourism on the surrounding area.”

Set in the rugged mountains of southern West Virginia southwest of Beckley, Twin Falls Resort State Park is the ideal site for nature seekers. Visitors here may find overnight accommodations ranging from a 20-room lodge located on the mountain top to secluded cottages and deluxe and standard campsites. Twin Falls provides a sprawling 18-hole, Par 71 championship golf course. Although ATVs are not allowed on the park itself, it is close to the popular Hatfield McCoy Trails, which makes the park popular with outdoors adventurers.

For more information about Twin Falls Resort State Park, call 1-800-CALL WVA and ask for Twin Falls, or visit www.wvstateparks.com .

**DNR**