Illinois FIRST To Fund Rend Lake Resort Expansion

WHITTINGTON -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced the release of $5 million in Illinois FIRST funds for the expansion of the Rend Lake Resort complex at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area on Rend Lake.

"During the last decade, Rend Lake Resort has enhanced tourism in Southern Illinois and helped to draw the more than 1.4 million people annually who enjoy this beautiful park," Ryan said.

The expansion includes 21 to 24 new botel units at the mouth of the harbor and an 8,000-square-foot addition to the conference room facilities that will join the hotel and existing conference room space. Additional boat docks will be added in two locations -- near the new botel units and near existing cabins at the resort. In addition, an emergency generator will be installed at the site to provide uninterrupted power to the resort.

AAIC Inc. of Collinsville is providing the architectural and engineering work on the project. The generator and boat docks expect to be installed this summer, while major construction work is expected to be bid this fall.

Rend Lake Resort opened in 1990 and already has undergone two expansions since that time. The facilities include a combination of 90 hotel, botel and cabin rooms, a restaurant, convenience store, conference facilities, a swimming pool, boat ramps and docking facilities. It is operated by John L. Reilly through a concession agreement with the Department of Natural Resources.