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Kayakers, surfers and business groups urge Reno to fund Whitewater Park repairs
Summary
Whitewater Park users and local business groups told the council the downtown surf wave and river features need maintenance after sedimentation from a recent flood, and urged a coordinated maintenance, signage and permitting plan to restore surfability and safety.
Local paddlers and recreation advocates pressed council members to fund and fast‑track repairs to Reno's downtown Whitewater Park surf feature, which users say became non‑surfable after sediment pushed in by a July flood. Jason Craig, a Reno native and world‑champion kayaker, described technical fixes needed to steepen the wave and suggested the city form a maintenance plan and permitting approach that allows more rapid responses to river sedimentation.
Speakers including Scott Sadie and other longtime users said the feature historically drew national athletes and visitors, created economic activity and helped drive downtown development. "We built it in 2004 for about $1.5 million and saw a $16–17 million ROI in the first five years," a commenter said; another urged restoration of a number of river hazards and fuller use of redevelopment funds set aside to remove obstructions.
Council members and staff said they are coordinating with parks and rec, RTC and river‑management partners and expected a comprehensive plan to be delivered to the council within six to eight weeks for evaluation and next steps. Council members flagged the need for signage, hazard removal, and clear permitting pathways to avoid protracted delays.
What happens next: Staff said they will return with a plan for hazard removal, maintenance priorities and any funding requests; council indicated support for pursuing a funded maintenance program and better public information about how to safely use the river.
