After a little over a decade of strategic planning, the Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) is finally set to open on July 20.
Governor Rick Snyder, Mayor Mike Duggan, HGTV’s “Rehab Addict” and Detroit’s Nicole Curtis, headlined a ribbon cutting ceremony at the river front center today.
“I have watched this building step-by-step and it is just amazing,” said Curtis. “When you can get children involved in outdoor activities it gets their mind working.”
The birth of the center was first discussed in the late 90’s.
In 2013 after many years and attempts to provide the public a plan, the state secured funding and launched a tangible plan slated for construction according to the OAC website.
“I have been in this city my whole life and anyone from this city knows for most of its history the waterfront was not accessible to the public,” said Duggan. “If you could rewind the clock 20 years and see what was along this water you would think how could this be done.”
Years after the introduction of the highly publicized waterfront, Downtown Detroit is now home to a piece of Up North, the Outdoor Adventure Center. The center will provide various exhibits and guest exhibitors year round to Detroiters and the youth within the city.
“We have to create spaces for them (the youth) to grow,” said Curtis. “This is an honor, to just help put this together for the city.”
Attendees of the inaugural event can expect special appearances by Miz Rosie the Storyteller, who will tell the story of the Underground Railroad as Harriet Tubman, and Gene Picor, a voyageur.
Visit the Outdoor Adventure Center website for more information and upcoming events.
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