Friday, June 06, 2008

 Previous State Circle Guests

Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal at Sparrows Point

Tonight we'll look at the environmental, economic and safety concerns of the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at Sparrows Point.

James Smith

(D), County Executive, Baltimore County

Baltimore County

The Adventure Sports Center International

The Adventure Sports Center International (asci) was first envisioned following the 1989 Whitewater Slalom World Championships on the Savage River. Organizers from the Worlds, led by Don Storck, were encouraged by the then president of the ICF (International Canoe Federation, the world governing body for all paddle sports) Sergi Orsi to build upon the world class outdoor resources of Garrett County and the Allegheny mountains, and to make 'adventure sports' part of the region's overall cultural and economic future. The sheer remoteness of whitewater in Garrett County made hosting events (like the Worlds) almost prohibitive: a solution was found in building an artificial, recirculating whitewater course. Thus asci was born, and its vision expanded to include programming in other adventure sports (climbing, trail running, mountain biking, etc...). Even before developing asci, the founders sought to institutionalize adventure sports in Garrett County. This was done by creating Garrett College’s Adventure Sports Institute, the country's first undergraduate program in adventure sports recreation management. The Adventure Sports Institute is now 15 years old, enrolls dozens of students, and has graduated students who have gone on to be leaders in the adventure sports industry. The vision was also to develop local talent that could easily segue into work with asci. The early vision of an artificial course was modest, but over time it was seen as essential to invent a whitewater course that could 'vary' the water according to different skill levels and interests. Thus the proprietary 'wave-shapers' were born. asci will be the only course in the world with this patented technology.

Matt Taylor

Executive Director, Adventure Sports Center International

Adventure Sports Center International