December 14, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
A once popular southwest Oklahoma vacation destination is getting a face lift.
During a press conference on Thursday, Oklahoma’s Tourism and Recreation department announced upgrades and renovations to many state parks, including Quartz Mountain in Greer County.
A large chunk of $48.6 million in state bond money designated to repair state parks will go to the Quartz Mountain Lodge and golf course.
Lt. Gov. Matt Pinell said in the press conference that the park was in worse shape than initially thought when the tourism department took over the facility on October 1. Quartz Mountain State Park was transferred from the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education to the Oklahoma Tourism Department in October under State House Bill 2753.
Pinell said every building in the park would require a new roof before renovations on the interior of the structures could begin. These unforeseen problems have more than doubled original estimates on renovations. The project also has pushed the annual Summer Arts Institute program from June to July.
Pinell said that after the roofing project, each room at the lodge would receive attention as well. Stating that the rooms are in “very poor condition.”.
Pinell said originally the bond was set up for $45 million but another $3 million was needed to cover Quartz Mountain. He said because of the work needed to get the lodge usable again, that other parts of the park will be set aside until more money is raised.
Outside the lodge, the Lt. Governor said there are two RV campgrounds that have been closed for several years because of a lack of water. He said the Oklahoma Regents didn’t fix the issue, simply because they didn’t have the funds.
In addition to the remodeling, the state park also will open a new Foggy Bottom Kitchen, which is operated by Swadley’s Bar-B-Q. The restaurants are now open in many Oklahoma state parks.
