Westmoreland parks upgrades funded through hotel tax

In a continued effort to boost tourism, Westmoreland County leaders plan to spend more than a half-million dollars this year to improve parks.

Commissioners on Thursday approved an annual tourism plan to spend the nearly $862,000 generated by additional hotel taxes imposed on daily room rentals.

Construction of the first half of an 18-hole disc golf course at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant and installation of winter sports tubing and sledding runs at Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver are included in this year’s plan.

“The county parks are the crown jewel of Westmoreland County,” said Commissioner Charles Anderson.

County leaders identified park upgrades as a central component of a comprehensive plan for future growth enacted last year. Officials said enhanced attractions at the parks will benefit residents, increase tourism and lure potential new residents.

In 2016, commissioners increased the county’s hotel tax from 3% to 5%. Most of the the initial hotel tax — money raised from the original 3% levy — is given to the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau to promote tourism through the region, including Fayette and Somerset counties. The additional 2% tax is earmarked for Westmoreland County-specific tourism projects.

Commissioners last year allocated more than $800,000 for tourism projects.

“This is why we raised the hotel tax. The parks are a hidden asset for Westmoreland County,” Commissioner Gina Cerilli said.

Replacement of the Giant Slide at Mammoth Park was authorized last year, but that project was put on hold. It is funded this year.

Malcolm Sias, director of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said the park’s 96-foot slide was demolished last fall. Two 100-foot slides are on order and are expected to be installed late this year for use in 2020, he said.

New plans this year for Mammoth Park include the disc golf course as well as rehabilitation of tennis courts and a dek hockey rink. The Mammoth Park projects are expected to cost about $1.1 million, including $180,000 allocated as part of this year’s tourism plan.

The Cedar Creek Park projects identified Thursday will receive $290,000 from the hotel tax proceeds. Overall, the proposed winter sports facility, along with new playgrounds, installation of on-site sewer lines and construction of a 200-seat pavilion near the Youghiogheny River bank, is expected to cost $1.6 million. In addition to the hotel tax, the county will use money borrowed this year for capital improvements as well as private donations, Sias said.

“The parks, while certainly a local asset, are a tremendous draw for visitors,” said Ann Nemanic, executive director of the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau.

In addition to the parks, commissioners allocated money toward the annual airshow at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, the Arts and Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes Park and construction of a new visitors center at Historic Hanna’s Town in Hempfield.

Commissioners said that even with the new round of spending, more cash is on hand for future tourism projects. The county still has about $1 million to spend from the hotel tax money, and more will accrue, officials said. Commissioner Ted Kopas suggested that money could be used for what he called an “ambitious” project, but he said one that meets that standard has yet to be identified.

Cerilli said the money could be used to leverage additional tourism.

“Other counties have billboards and advertising. That’s possible for the future and still on the table,” she said.