Smoke billowing from the old restaurant at Lake Atalanta attracted a crowd to the Rogers park Friday morning.
The Rogers Fire Department held a controlled burn to destroy the old building and the city plans to clear the entire area before deciding what will replace it.
"Once we are able to clean up this area we'll see what the potential really is," says Facilities Development Manager David Hook. "In the next few years we plan on dredging this lake and adding some amenities here."
Built in the late forties, the lakeside restaurant was one of the few tourist attractions in Northwest Arkansas, and many of the onlookers have fond memories of the place.
"There were so few restaurants here in Rogers that was one of the nice places you could go to eat," says Ruthie Sampier. "We would come here for special occasions."
Hook says it's hard to watch, but the controlled burn is a step in the right direction.
"I'm just glad we're moving forward," he says.
Sampier agrees.
"I think it's probably time," she says. "The pool has been a problem for a long time... They're renovating the whole park so I'm hoping it'll be a neat place."
The Rogers Fire Department held a controlled burn to destroy the old building and the city plans to clear the entire area before deciding what will replace it.
"Once we are able to clean up this area we'll see what the potential really is," says Facilities Development Manager David Hook. "In the next few years we plan on dredging this lake and adding some amenities here."
Built in the late forties, the lakeside restaurant was one of the few tourist attractions in Northwest Arkansas, and many of the onlookers have fond memories of the place.
"There were so few restaurants here in Rogers that was one of the nice places you could go to eat," says Ruthie Sampier. "We would come here for special occasions."
Hook says it's hard to watch, but the controlled burn is a step in the right direction.
"I'm just glad we're moving forward," he says.
Sampier agrees.
"I think it's probably time," she says. "The pool has been a problem for a long time... They're renovating the whole park so I'm hoping it'll be a neat place."
