Renovations and Changes Are Underway At The Homestead

Warm Springs, VA – Renovations and changes are underway at The Homestead. At the April Bath Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board heard an update from The Homestead’s General Manager, Peter Faraone, on changes taking place at the resort. Faraone explained that the resort’s business mix has changed dramatically, shifting from group and meeting guests to leisure family travelers.

So the resort is reinvesting in more family related activities. A number of changes are planned including the addition of a water park, expansion of the pool complex and the addition of a children’s park with a sand beach and a kid’s pool. A miniature golf course will be built and the entire spa will be renovated.

New jobs come along with the new water park and other renovations at The Homestead. Faraone said that for every hour of operation of the water park, nine lifeguards will be needed. He said jobs are posted on The Homestead’s website and there are about 75 new ones on there for the summer.

Supervisor Claire Collins asked what The Homestead plans to do with other properties it owns, such as The Jefferson Pools, some houses and The Cascades Inn. Faraone responded that the resort would like to sell the houses and the Inn. He said the resort is talking with organizations about the Jefferson Pools, and the resort is also making some improvements to be sure the pools are safe, along with some cosmetic improvements, but there are no plans now for major restoration.

The Board held a public hearing on the abandonment of a portion of Route 665 in Millboro from Cabin Draft Road to the C&O Railway. No one spoke during the public hearing and County Planner and Zoning Administrator Sherry Ryder said she had heard no objection to the abandonment. That portion on Route 665 is no longer used and one property owner’s land adjoins it on all sides. The Board passed a resolution for the abandonment of that section of road.

The Board gave authorization to go out for bid on construction of the new county animal shelter. The hope is to have construction begin in May on the 2600 square foot building.

The Board also approved a Medevac plan for the county. As part of the plan, there are five helicopter landing zones around the county for use in emergency medical situations. There is hope that in the future another landing zone or two can be established.

Also at its April meeting, the Board appointed Gloria Lindsay, Karen Williams and Jamie Lowry to the Industrial Development Authority for additional four year terms. And Supervisor Bruce McWilliams was reappointed to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission.