Lake Lanier Islands is a small group of islands on Lake Lanier, the largest lake in Georgia, located north of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The islands are a primary recreational destination for the Atlanta area.
History
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The Lake Lanier islands were originally large hills near Gainesville. After the creation of Buford Dam and the flooding of part of the Chattahoochee River valley created Lake Lanier, the hills became the largest chain of islands in the lake.
In 1957, The US Army Corps of Engineers leased Lake Lanier Islands to the Georgia Department of State Parks, who partnered with the newly created Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority (LLIDA) in 1962 to manage and develop a recreational venue for the citizens of Georgia to enjoy. By 1974, Lake Lanier Islands celebrated its first year of operation with the debut of the Harbor Landing boat docks, as well as the campgrounds, stables, beaches, golf course, and Pine Isle Hotel. A water park opened on the islands in 1987. During this time the State of Georgia contracted with the KSL Corporation to take over the day-to-day management and operations of Lake Lanier Islands.
In August 2005, it was announced that local businessman Virgil Williams, through his venture, Lake Lanier Islands Management Company, had bought the Islands from the KSL corporation. He officially took control on August 26. The purchase was for 14.5 million, which did not include the actual land, only the resort. Since purchasing the resort, the KLL Corporation has worked to improve the islands. After nearly 30 years of operation the original Pine Isle Resort was demolished.
Events held on the islands include annual Independence Day fireworks, on the lake, full moon parties, and "Magical Nights of Lights."
Under the ownership of the Islands Management company, the property has received numerous upgrades and renovations. In 2008, Islands Management Company completed their first of many renovations at Legacy Lodge & Conference Center when the previous Emerald Point Hotel & Conference Center "was completely rebuilt using only the shell of the original structure." In April 2014, Legacy Lodge opened a saltwater lounging pool, replacing their previous pool and hot tubs. In the summer of 2016, Legacy Lodge & Conference center, the hotel on Lanier Islands, underwent a 2 million dollar renovation. The upgrades included "214 rooms now have new hardwood floors, artwork and decor with an outdoors theme, as well as new bedding, mini-refrigerators and Keurig coffee makers. Other upgrades include newly painted woodwork and ceilings throughout the hotel, new wallcoverings in guest rooms and corridors, new carpets in corridors and new lighting and window treatments."
In 2018 Lanier Islands made a new deal with Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Development and SafeHarbor in order to invest millions of dollars into the island and theme park LanierWorld.
References
Gainesville Times
External links
- https://www.audits.state.ga.us/rptSearch/report/7505
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