Alabama River a huge part of Montgomery Whitewater's phase 2

While all eyes are on the July 7-9 grand opening of phase 1 — the two artificial river channels for rafting and kayaking — a Montgomery Whitewater leader's thoughts are never far from the next phase among acres leading to the Alabama River.

Development is coming to that area, said Dave Hepp, CEO of Montgomery Whitewater. He's just waiting for official access to the land.

“The acreage that goes down (from the whitewater area) and links to the Alabama River has not been transferred from the Army Corps to the city yet,” Hepp said. “Once we get that access, which sounds like it’ll be this winter, that’s going to be phase 2.”

The land transfer will let Hepp build hiking and mountain bike trails, a rope course and zip lines. On the riverfront, they'll offer stand up paddle boarding and river kayaking.

“This is a killer spot for it,” Hepp said of their riverfront. “We need to clean it up, but that’s phase 2 essentially.”

Hepp said once the riverfront portion is ready, they’ll have a fleet of rental paddle boards and kayaks for the Alabama River.

“It’s going to be more than a place. It’s going to be a full experience,” said Ron Simmons, chief officer of destination and community development for Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

If you have your own gear, he said you’ll be able to access the river there with it for free.

“We’ll probably be working on (the land development and riverfront) all winter for next spring,” Hepp said.

Once that's all in place, Hepp said Montgomery Whitewater will likely add a day pass guests can purchase that includes everything from rafting on the course to flatwater offerings at the river.

“This brings something kind of totally different to the city,” Hepp said.

Overall, Hepp compared Montgomery Whitewater to a ski lodge. Yes, there will eventually be a hotel on site. Hepp hopes to have that within the next two years.

“We’re very excited to have a world class attraction like this, one of only three in the entire country,” Simmons said. He said Montgomery Whitewater will have an estimated $35 million economic impact on Montgomery.

“You’ll start to see other businesses develop as a result of this project,” Simmons said.

As Montgomery Whitewater grows, the aim is to let it be a crown jewel among Montgomery's other tourism draws like Montgomery Biscuits baseball, civil rights tourism, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Old Alabama Town and many others.

“We hope (guests) leave here with the best experience possible, and they want to come back,” Hepp said. “That they realize, hey, this city’s got a lot to offer.”

Beyond being a novel attraction, Simmons said Montgomery Whitewater is an opportunity for locals and visitors to come together. He said that includes all the airmen and their families stationed next door at Maxwell Air Force Base as well.

“It’s a place for everyone, which is really great,” Simmons said. “It makes me proud to have something like this in our hometown, in our city."

Growth plans also extend the other direction from Montgomery Whitewater to Maxwell Boulevard, where Hepp said there will be future retail offerings.

“We want to be a draw for the whole region and put Montgomery on the map,” Hepp said.

Once people come and experience all there is to offer, some might even decide to stay.

“It really brings about the future,” Simmons said. “It brings about what young talent is looking for, a place where they can live, play and work. It brings about community.”

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.