New brew helps Bend Whitewater Park happen

The highly anticipated Bend Whitewater Park on the Deschutes River is nearing completion, and a new brew is helping to brew up fun when it opens in coming days.

The Bend Park and Recreation District footed a majority of the funding with the bond measure voters passed in 2012. In total, the project exceeds $9.5 million. The Bend Paddle Trail Alliance partnered to cover the remaining $1.13 million.

“It says a lot to have the community and the region come together,” BPTA board member Justin Rae said Thursday.

But there’s another piece of the funding puzzle you can taste and enjoy.

Crux Fermentation Project, Sierra Nevada Brewing and Columbia Distributing presented BPTA with a $30,000 check last week, when the companies released the Paddle Trail Ale Session IPA.

The four-pack is sold in stores in Oregon and Washington, and $2 of every pack sold benefits BPTA’s contribution to the whitewater park.

“I think the result is a really well-balanced, yet flavorful and aromatic session IPA, which is delicious,” said Paul Evers, the co-founder of Crux Fermentation Project.

The Paddle Trail Ale Session IPA is just one example of community efforts made to make the Bend Whitewater Park a reality. Anonymous donations, fundraisers and word of mouth have all played a major role.

“We saw a really great opportunity to take something that was a liability in the community and turn it into a community asset,” said BPTA board member Jayson Bowerman.

When the project is finished, users will be able to continue floating on the Deschutes River, rather than having to get out and portage — walk around the Colorado Avenue Bridge spillway that has since been removed.

Bend Park and Rec officials told NewsChannel 21 they hope to have the whitewater park open sometime between Sept. 12 and 19.

The Paddle Trail Ale Session IPA will be celebrated Saturday at Crux Fermentation Project, where the four-packs will be sold and $2 of every pack donated to the BPTA fund.