CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Thank you for participating in our survey. Have You Been To The U.S. National Whitewater Center? Have you been to the U.S. National Whitewater Center? Yes. No. Not yet, but I plan to.
The U.S. National Whitewater Center just had its best year yet.
The center said it had 470,000 visitors, a center record. Many hike and bike for free, but 100,000 visitors paid, which is also a record, up from 70,000 customers the year before.
And it showed. Sales were up 23 percent, meaning the center made $630,000 more than it spent. The previous year, it made $120,000 more than it spent.
"You know, we watch things, obviously, as we go along and it wasn't a surprise, but we were very pleased, you know, all year long," center CFO Jeff Shelton said.
He said the center still owes $12.4 million for construction, but it was able to knock $1.3 million off this year. Six local governments are under contract to pitch in tax dollars for a few more years, assuming the center still has that debt.
Previous Stories: February 17, 2009: Whitewater Center Asks For More Taxpayers' Money February 12, 2009: Whitewater Center Defaulting On Millions In Loans July 10, 2008: Whitewater Center Director Defends Financial Help February 11, 2008: Whitewater Center Gets Restraining Order To Stop Homeowners From Closing Road November 13, 2007: Fees Could Make Whitewater Center More Profitable November 12, 2007: Whitewater Center Will Ask For Taxpayer Money August 20, 2007: Whitewater Center's First-Year Losses Greater Than Expected July 27, 2007: Thousands Of Visitors Head To Whitewater Center November 4, 2006: Whitewater Center Celebrates Grand Opening; Unveils New Features August 24, 2006: Whitewater Park To Hold First Event Friday June 23, 2006: Whitewater Park Opening Delayed Further June 2, 2006: Work Flowing Again At Whitewater Park June 1, 2006: Temporary Agreement Reached In Whitewater Roadblock May 30, 2006: Dispute Threatens Opening Of Whitewater Park April 18, 2006: New Park Offers Whitewater Experience In Charlotte October 12, 2004: Whitewater Park Gets Financial Backing