January 2020 Updates
Happy New Year to everyone in Lake Lure. I hope that you have all enjoyed the joy of family and friends during this holiday season. A season to reflect upon the blessings and challenges of the past year and a season to peer into the marvels of the year to come. Our entire community in the past few months has demonstrated its resolve to move forward with the tasks facing Lake Lure with enthusiasm and determination.
We gathered together in Rumbling Bald Resorts as one community in an extraordinary Veterans Day celebration of the men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication, and loyalty. We were honored to have all branches of the military represented and to be in the presence of men and women and their families who have given so much to ensure our country’s safety. It is with grateful hearts that we thank all those who have gone before us and those whom we are so fortunate to have now as our family, friends, and neighbors.
The Town of Lake Lure, together with the Flowering Bridge Board and Lake Lure Classical Academy, rang at the beginning of the holiday season with a spectacular show of lights and festivity. The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge has become a cherished focal point of our community, attracting visitors far and wide. It is tended and pampered by so many dedicated volunteers and supported by the incredible generosity of the community. The highlight of the evening had to be the Lake Lure Classical Academy Choir, raising their voices to celebrate the joy of the season and the hope of the year to come. Our future truly lies in our children.
We reflect in this season on all that has happened in Lake Lure in 2019 and look ahead to the coming year 2020. We often talk about the need for continuity as we discuss our future hopes and plans for Lake Lure. But continuity does not preclude change; it just demands thoughtful transition. We are grateful for the contribution of all of our leaders in the past year. Our beloved Mayor Kevin Cooley gave so much to Lake Lure and who will always be remembered for his tireless efforts, engineering skills, and contributions to our town.
We are grateful for the dedication and service of our former Commissioners, Bob Cameron and Stephen Webber, who retired from the Council at the end of 2019. Each brought insight, dedication, and many hours of hard work to the Council. They will all three be missed, but their contributions remain a part of the fabric of Lake Lure and of our future.
We have elected two new Commissioners, Patrick Bryant (Photographed here in the front left) and David DiOrio (Photographed here on the front right), to carry the torch. They are both well qualified and bring fresh perspectives, energy, and ideas. Patrick Bryant brings an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality and tourism industry, so vital to Lake Lure. David DiOrio, Captain USN retired with a degree and successful career in engineering, joins the Council at an opportune time to support our critical infrastructure projects. Commissioner Patrick Bryant and Commissioner David DiOrio join Commissioners John Moore and John Kilby to complete our new Council. Under their collective leadership, we begin the business of ensuring that Lake Lure continues to grow and flourish.
We have additionally added new members to the Lake Lure Advisory Boards to fill open positions. We appreciate all of the collective expertise of the boards and their members and profit from their wisdom and advice. We are so fortunate to have so many people who are willing to volunteer their time and energy to our town.
You have, of course, noticed that Lake Lure is below normal pond level. Although we all wish that the lake could be at full pond level for our constant enjoyment, there are necessary repairs and maintenance that require our attention. The Lake Lure Marine Commission voted to begin the drawdown of the lake on 12/1/19 and to begin raising the lake to the full pond on 2/10/20.
Lowering the lake this year will allow the Town to make numerous routine repairs and enhancements, including the replacement of the Town’s Marina and Boardwalk. The new marina dock and boardwalk (illustrated below) are being built off-site and will be installed following demolition with a goal of completing the project before the spring season kicks off. The rendering below illustrates the new Lake Lure Marina and Boardwalk, which will increase the number of boat slips to 212, adding 134 additional slips.
These are exciting times for Lake Lure. We look forward to collaborating with our entire Lake Lure community, our neighbors in Rutherford County, and the state of North Carolina as we move forward with our future goals.
Carol Pritchett
Mayor, Town of Lake Lure
