ATLANTA - Officials with the Georgia State Parks said Thursday that park patrons will see no changes in the outdoor facilities at Amicalola and Unicoi State Parks when a private company comes in to manage the resorts at the parks.
The board voted Wednesday to place operations of the lodges and other guest facilities at Amicalola and Unicoi with Coral Hospitality of Naples, Fl.
The move is part of the board's strategy to make state parks generate enough money to cover their own costs. Officials hope maximizing the potential of the two popular parks might help subsidize some of the state's 64 parks and historic sites.
Kim Hatcher with Georgia State Parks said the board is especially pleased that Unicoi State Park's lodge will be able to stay open during a planned renovation. Originally, the plan was to temporarily close the facility.
"We're going to be able to keep open the lodge while Coral is doing renovations, so groups can come and use the conference facilities during 2013," said Hatcher.
Hatcher pointed out that Coral Hospitality is no stranger to the Georgia parks system, saying that the company has operated amenities at Brasstown Valley and Lake Blackshear since 2005.
