EDITOR

Brian Justice

An upgrade to the Winchester City Park’s docking area is in-progress with a target date to have new restroom facilities open by the end of July.

Subcontractors for Sain Construction Co. began laying the foundation for the restroom facilities last week, and Mayor Sean Crabtree said he initially was hoping that the project may be completed by July 1, just before Winchester’s Lighting the Legacy: Tennessee 250 celebration is held on July 4.

However, Crabtree said he found out later that a more likely opening window is toward the end of July.

“While we are working hard to have the restroom, sidewalks and paving ready for the 250 celebration, (it looks like that’s unlikely to happen,)” he said, adding that it would be great if the timing worked out so the restroom facilities would be ready. “If not, it will be an awesome celebration nonetheless.”

The project had advanced far enough for cement dock work to be completed in time to accommodate the Tims Ford Bass Club’s Spring Classic fishing tournament on April 4. One ramp was declared as being useable, allowing the fishing event to go on.

The next venture in enjoying the improvements is related to the Tennessee 250 celebration.

Winchester received a $25,000 grant for Tennessee America 250 initiatives from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.

The grant proceeds are being used to provide a Fourth of July heritage celebration at the Winchester City Park commemorating 250 years of Tennessee and Franklin County history.

The event is being designed to honor the region’s enduring legacy — from its early frontier roots to its role in shaping the state and nation — while inviting residents and visitors to experience history in a meaningful, family-friendly setting, according to a city press release.

Daytime programming will be geared to highlight Tennessee’s cultural heritage through historical interpretations, educational exhibits, local traditions and community storytelling, the press release said.

As evening approaches, the celebration’s format will evolve into a patriotic firework display symbolizing freedom, resilience and the continuation of Tennessee’s story for future generations, according to the press release.

“Designed as a signature heritage tourism event, Lighting the Legacy strengthens community pride, attracts regional visitors and supports economic activity while preserving and promoting the historical significance of Franklin County and the state of Tennessee,” the press release said.

The upgrades to Winchester City Park, including the improved dock and restroom and parking improvements, are part of The Bill Dance Signature Lakes initiative — a collaborative effort among the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to improve and enhance Tennessee lakes, increase visitation and honor Dance’s legacy in the pro fishing community.

The Tennessee state government is investing $15 million in improvements above and below the water at 18 lakes which bear fishing legend Dance’s stamp of approval.

Tennesseans and visitors to the state will benefit from increased stocking, habitat and fisheries management as well as improved access for fishing and boating, according to a press release on the initiative. The collaborative effort between the TWRA, Tennessee State Parks and the Department of Tourist Development seeks to solidify Tennessee as the heart of fishing in the Southeast and drive economic activity across the state.

The objective of the Bill Dance Signature Lakes program is to connect the world’s most-loved angler with some of Tennessee’s greatest natural resources — its lakes.

Already known for its premier fishing spots, this program will make Tennessee a best-in-class destination for anglers worldwide whether they’re beginners, experts or any skill level in between, according to the initiative’s website.

Reservoirs will feature Bill Dance Signature Lake access points constructed to a standard of excellence endorsed and designed by Bill Dance Outdoors in collaboration with the TWRA, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and Tourist Development with new or improved assets driving economic activity year-round for each surrounding community, according to information provided to the press.  

As part of an agreement with the Bill Dance initiative, the Winchester city budget includes adding restroom facilities at the Winchester Bass Club. The city is spending $225,000 on the restrooms in exchange for the Bill Dance initiative upgrading all the piers within the Winchester City Park.

The main highlight is that the piers will be much larger and extend farther into the water, allowing year-round fishing access to boats and potentially attracting major professional fishing tournaments that could have overall prize money topping $250,000.

When Gov. Bill Lee announced the Bill Dance initiative in December 2021, a published statement said that Tennessee is home to half-a-million acres of lakes and 1.7 million people who fish, according to the American Sportfishing Association.

It said that Bill Dance Signature Lakes touch 39 counties, including 22 at-risk or economically distressed counties, and the program is an important step in helping those communities create new revenue streams through increased visitation.

Fishing generates $1.2 billion in economic impact annually and supports 7,480 jobs across the state, the press release said.

The Bill Dance Signature Lakes program includes nine large reservoirs with a proven track record for quality fishing for a variety of fish. In partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, reservoirs will receive new or upgraded best-in-class ramps to improve public access for both recreational and tournament anglers.

Each of the 18 lakes involved in the initiative will see such above-water upgrades as courtesy docks, ample parking, additional access points, fishing piers and signage, to name a few. Several smaller lakes, many of which are located within Tennessee state parks, will be managed intensively by the TWRA for Bill Dance-approved family fishing with regular stockings to ensure the best chance for success.

Each lake was selected by agency partners and Bill Dance for its ability to be a destination fishing location and provide quality fishing fun for avid anglers as well as families.