From Vision to Reality

After more than a decade of planning, replanning and fundraising, the Kingfisher Visitor Center is now a reality, as acknowledged at a donor’s reception, ribbon-cutting and open house. A long-time dream of Kingfisher visionaries John Gooden and Brian Walter and Kingfisher Trails Inc., the visitor center was constructed at the site of Bill’s DX, Kingfisher’s last full-service gas station, and incorporates the original service bays of the iconic local landmark. The future home of the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce, the building has gone through multiple design phases after original funding sources fell through. Fundraising was revived by a major donation from Dorma Hobbs, inset right, which seeded an endowment fund and encouraged other local donations that ultimately funded the project. On hand for the ribbon cutting on Wednesday are, from left, Jalene Jackson, Beverly Bain, Judy Whipple, Russell Hopkins, Kaci Murray, Phyllis Stinnett, Brian Walter, Morgan Winters, Brad Wittrock, Tiffany Jones, Jaryn Frey (Hobbs’ granddaughter), Chamber Executive Director Shauna Rupp (wielding the scissors), Brian Henderson, Stephanie Bayse, Hobbs with daughters Jamae Frey, kneeling, and Patty Stoudemire, Heath Redwine, Mike Frey, Susannah Copeland, Cyndi Ice, John Gooden, Mayor Roxie Alexander and Commissioner Bill Tucker. Rupp also presented plaques to Gooden and Walter, inset top right, recognizing their support of the visitor center project. The chamber is still awaiting furniture delivery, but anticipates occupying the building and opening it to the public around the first of October. [TIMES-FREE PRESS Staff and Provided Photos]