New Fishing Tournament Venue Opens

Wilmington District Corps of Engineers held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Fishing Tournament Facility at Twin Ridge Park on the Franklin County side of Philpott this weekend.

The event was held in conjunction with the Fishers of Men Legacy Youth Tournament to celebrate efforts to reconnect youth with the outdoors. Tim Campbell, Tournament Coordinator, thanked the partners for the great new facility that will meet the needs of fishing tournaments on Philpott Lake.

Bobby Thompson, Franklin County Supervisor for the Blue Ridge District, talked about how nice it was to see all the youth taking advantage of this new facility, and about how the new facility will help Franklin County.

Michael Burnette, Franklin County Director of Commerce and Leisure Services, spoke of the importance of meeting the water-based recreation needs of Franklin County through both Philpott Lake and Smith Mountain Lake, and how this new facility fits into that focus.

‘Rocky' Craig Rockwell, Philpott Lake Operations Project Manager thanked all of the partners that made the new facility a reality, and discussed how the new facility will meet the needs of fishing tournaments, as well as help separate different types of use on the lake.

 Rockwell also broke down the project cost $180,000; $50,000 came from Franklin County, $25,000 came from a Corps of Engineers Handshake Partnership Grant. The rest was funded from Philpott Lake O&M funds. The new facility is the result of a partnership between Franklin County, the Corps of Engineers Partnership Advisory Committee, Wilmington District Corps of Engineers at Philpott Lake, and advisory partners: DAV, VFW, B.A.S.S. and Anglers Choice Marine.

Also in attendance were Marc Thomas, Commander of Chapter 52 Martinsville DAV, Doug Stewart, Commander of United Henry County Post 2820 VFW, Earl Wright, Philpott Lake Assistant Operations Project Manager, and Jeff Spencer, Regional Manager for RBS, Philpot Lake O&M Contract Company who built the new facility, except for the mooring dock, which was built by Turner Construction Company of Franklin County.