What's New In 2009

(Pt. 2 of 2)

TRANSPORTATION UPDATEWilmington International Airport (ILM) now offers Nonstop flights from ILM to Charlotte, New York's LaGuardia, & Philadelphia via USAirways; Delta ASA Airlines offers service to Atlanta. A new low-fare carrier, Allegiant Air, began seasonal direct service to Orlando-Sanford airport in April 2008 and direct service to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in November 2008. ILM expanded its international terminal in 2008 with a 13,500 square-foot International Arrivals Facility to accommodate passenger jets (up to 150 passengers). http://www.flyilm.com/

Green Cab Electric Taxi Service, in Carolina Beach, is the first licensed golf cart cab service in North Carolina. http://www.greencabelectrictaxi.com/

Independence Mall recently partnered with Prime Time Shuttle to provide complimentary shuttle service from area hotels to its enclosed regional shopping center with 150 specialty stores and restaurants. http://www.shopindependencemall.com/.

Wilmington Riverwalk and Greenfield Lake Path is part of the East Coast Greenway, a continuous, traffic-free path that spans 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. www.greenway.org

Wilmington Cross-City Trail: Phase I (between Halyburton Park and Cameron Art Museum) of the proposed 10-mile Cross-City Trail, a bike-hike greenway system, is scheduled to begin in 2009.

Jubilee Snooze & Cruise recently began offering narrated, scenic, or charter cruises and overnight accommodations to the destination of their choice aboard Sea Star, a 45-foot boat that sleeps six passengers. www.jubileesnoozeandcruise.com

RECREATION/SPORTS

Wilmington Municipal Golf Course Recent Improvements. Designed by Donald Ross in 1926 to provide the public with a quality championship 18-hole golf course at affordable prices, the Wilmington Municipal Golf Course recently completed renovations. The #8 green was enlarged by 30% and sodded with Tifeagle in summer 2008. The green is now back to its original design and shape. The practice area adjacent to #9 now has a green and two bunkers. Clubhouse improvements include new carpet, lighting, a pro shop counter, and remodeled restrooms.

Carolina Beach State Park Renovates Marina. Carolina Beach State Park will close its marina and boat access area for renovations from mid-November until summer 2009. The $2.5 million renovation project includes dredging of the marina basin and access channel. http://www.ncparks.org/

Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue will open a new substation on the Boardwalk at Carolina Beach in 2009. This new location will serve as a minor first aid treatment center and as an educational source for Ocean and Beach Safety. www.cblifeguards.com/News.html

Port City Chargers, a new developmental football team in Wilmington, is part of the Southeastern American Football League (SEAFL), a full contact summer/fall football league (since 2002) with teams located in SC, NC, GA, and TN. Season spans July through Sept. TBA. www.portcitychargers.com; 910-264-5502 (Troy Vasos, GM).

The 2^nd Annual Beach2Battleship Full and Half Iron Distance Triathlon will take place on November 7, 2009. http://www.beach2battleship.com/ [See also Headline News section]

Carolina Beach Municipal Marina is adding space for transient and dinghy public dock spaces. Expected completion date is summer 2009.

Wilmington, North Carolina designated as a "Fit Community 2006-2009." The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina designated Wilmington, N.C. as a Fit Community. The program recognize N.C. towns and counties that currently excel in supporting physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco use prevention in the community, schools and workplaces. Fit Community designations are valid for 3 years. http://www.fitcommunitync.com/

James E.L. Wade Park (3500 Bethel Road), Wilmington's newest public park, opened in January 2009. Park amenities include a ½ mile (10 foot wide) multi-use path, picnic and play areas, and an education center/event space.

Wrightsville Beach Surf Camp introduces a new Guppy Ocean Safety Adventure Camp for 6-10 year olds. Guppy Camp is offered for 10 weeks during June, July, August. http://www.wbsurfcamp.com/

East Coast Greenway: Two routes in New Hanover County are among East Coast Greenway (ECG) designated trails: Greenfield Lake Path and Wilmington Riverwalk. The ECG is a grassroots trail project linking multimodal transportation corridors from Maine to Florida, intended for non-motorized users (cyclists, hikers, skaters, equestrians, wheelchairs, etc.). (source: http://www.greenway.org/ )

Kayak fishing is a new trend and a new business that specializes in kayak fishing, Hook Line & Paddle, opened in 2008. Company also offers fishing and theme tours.

PACKAGES

Shoulder Season Lodging Value Packages. Visitors can sign up for quarterly E-specials for info about shoulder season value packages designed to suit every budget. Visit http://www.gocapefearcoast.com/ and click on Specials & Packages link.

SHOPPING/DINING

Mayfaire Town Center, a pedestrian-style shopping district, expands with upscale restaurants & retailers. http://www.thevillageatmayfaire.com/

The New Castle Street Art & Antique District, formed in 2007, continues to expand along Castle Street. 910-763-6555. www.newcastleartandantiquedistrict.com

Ruth's Chris Restaurant opened in June 2008 at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside: http://www.ruthschris-wilmington.com/

Award-winning chef Keith Rhodes will open a 2^nd location of Catch Restaurant at 6623 Market Street, Wilmington (coming in spring 2009).

Autumn Hall, a pedestrian-friendly shopping village currently under development (Eastwood Road area), is expected to include nearly 490,000 square feet of retail shops and restaurants.

Experience the shopping and dining renaissance that continues in Wilmington and North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast. New upscale restaurants and retailers to suit every whim and taste have opened in the past year to rave reviews. For more details on shopping and dining in Wilmington and NC's Cape Fear Coast, please contact the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-866-266-9690; http://www.gocapefearcoast.com/.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Wilmington Cross-City Trail: Phase I (between Halyburton Park and Cameron Art Museum) of the proposed 10-mile Cross-City Trail, a bike-hike greenway system, is scheduled to begin in 2009. The entire trail will extend from Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach and will take up to 10 years to complete. The long-range intent is that the entire length of the Cross-City Trail will be off-road, a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly width of at least eight feet, and paved, with striped crosswalks at all intersections and crossing signals at each major intersection. Sidewalks may be utilized to provide connections while the trail is under construction. www.wmpo.org

Convention Center Update: The construction of the riverfront Wilmington Convention Center is now underway and is expected to open in spring/summer 2010. See Headline News for more information. Contact: Malissa Talbert, City of Wilmington PIO malissa.talbert@wilmingtonnc.gov.

A high-end full-service downtown marina is slated for Wilmington's north side, next to the future convention center. According to Riverfront Holdings II, the marina has permits for 200 slips, and is the first phase of a 15-20 year project that will include restaurants, commercial, and residential spaces. (www.wilmingtonbiz.net/6-27-08destination.htm)

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is working with the town of Carolina Beach to select a site for a proposed educational ocean fishing pier at the town's boardwalk.

Oceanfront Park in Kure Beach. The Town of Kure Beach proposes an oceanfront park with boardwalk and pavilion. Town leaders are securing funding for the $4 million project. http://www.townof.kurebeach.org/

The North Carolina Jazz Festival, held each year in February in Wilmington, NC, will celebrate 30 years in 2010.

Seaview Properties/Russ Maynard broke ground in August 2008 for a 191-room Hilton Garden Inn with a ballroom that will seat up to 350 at the north end of the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. A 2,800 square foot rooftop pavilion will overlook the ocean. 85 of the 191 rooms will be suites. The project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

CN Hotels recently announced plans to construct a 7-story, 125-room Courtyard Marriott hotel in Downtown Wilmington at the corner of 2^nd and Grace streets. Meeting space will accommodate small groups and weddings. Construction is set to begin in second quarter 2009, with a projected opening of summer 2010.

Fairfield Inn & Suites (Carolina Beach Boardwalk) is expected to open a 90-room hotel in spring/summer 2010.

Wilmington's Riverwalk will expand from the Coastline Conference and Event Center to the Isabel Holmes Bridge. Expansion is slated for completion in 2010.

The African-American Heritage Museum of Wilmington continues a capital campaign to raise money for a proposed museum (TBA) in the historic Richter's Building (Harnett & 4^th Sts.). The museum will tell the African-American story in the greater context of Wilmington's & America's history through memorabilia, exhibitions, education and entertainment.

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To return to What's New in 2009--Part 1 of 2, click on the link below:

http://www.cape-fear.nc.us/press/article.html?submitparam=Search&idparam=375

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more detailed background information, please contact the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-866-266-9690 and ask for the Communications/PR Director or email to cvbpr@capefearcoast.com. Also, check out our website's Press Room and Calendar of Events at http://www.gocapefearcoast.com/.