LENOIR CITY — Although it was a dreary day, city officials at Lenoir City Park looked out on the water Thursday and envisioned sunshine. 

Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens said the park is a great place to spend time on hot summer days. And within 30 days, people could have even more reasons to get out on the water. 

Aikens announced the city's plans Thursday to allow Knoxville-based River Sports Outfitters to open a new location to rent kayaks and paddleboards along the park's shoreline. 

“River Sports, which has been in operation for 36 years, has become synonymous over the years with outdoor activities," Aikens said. "We know, by partnering with them, this will lead to a positive experience for our community and visitors to the area.”

River Sports already has kayak rental locations in Knoxville at Concord Park, Ijams Nature Center and its main business on Sutherland Avenue. The business also offers rentals at Seven Islands State Birding Park in Kodak and Panther Creek State Park in Morristown. 

"This is important to me," said Ed McAlister, owner of River Sports. "If a community has outdoor recreation, you're going to have people that want to live in your community." 

McAlister said he was contacted by the city within the past month. On Thursday, he cut the ribbon alongside city officials at the new location. 

"I've never seen a community, particularly politics, move that fast," McAlister said. 

The business should also open quickly, McAlister said. All that's needed is an approval from the Tennessee Valley Authority, a temporary ramp and a storage unit for the roughly 20 kayaks and paddleboards.

Eventually, a floating handicap dock will be built in the water, McAlister said. 

"It’s good, it’s clean and people want more of this type of activity," Aikens said. "You go up to Concord Marina and you look how jam-packed that place is ... You’ve got so many people up there using that, and we want to bring those people to Lenoir City." 

McAlister said he anticipates charging rates similar to those at Concord Park — $25 for two hours. The price includes a kayak or paddleboard, a paddle and some basic instruction. 

"It's a beautiful park on a beautiful part of the water and people wanting to do something — it adds up," McAlister said. "It's not much prettier than this ... It's going to be fun."