'Building a dream': Scuba center opens for 20th season
By Kat Russell, Photojournalist
Kentucky New Era
April 14, 2014
http://www.kentuckynewera.com/web/news/article_4442363a-c388-11e3-b57a-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=story
Kat Russell / Kentucky New Era
When Kris Tapp and his father, Dennis, opened the Pennyroyal Scuba Center Blue Springs Resort in 1994, they were taking a chance on a dream they’d shared for many years.
On Saturday, the scuba center opened for its 20th season, something neither of the men could have predicted.
Tapp was a sophomore in high school when they opened the center. He had already been diving for three years, and his dad had been diving for about 30 years.
“I got certified (for diving) for my 12th birthday,” Tapp said. “My dad was certified in 1964.”
The decision to find and open their own diving operation came in the early 1990s. They had been working with another diving operation in Trigg County.
“We finally decided to either go ahead and get into it all the way or get rid of everything and that’s when we started looking around,” Tapp said.
When they found the 22-acre spring-fed limestone quarry on Russellville and Christian Quarry roads, they thought their search had ended, but the owners were reluctant at first, Tapp said. So the Tapps kept looking.
Eventually the quarry owners changed their minds and called the Tapps.
“We went and bought an old office trailer and that’s where we had our admissions. We didn’t have power, we didn’t have nothing, there was basically just the hole of water here,” Tapp said. “When we opened it up and we had a generator, which set outside, and hooked the trailer into it just so we could run a little cash register.”
Since then, the Tapps have built an office and small dive shop, and this year they added restrooms and changing facilities.
On Saturday, the scuba center opened for its 20th season, something neither of the men could have predicted.
Tapp was a sophomore in high school when they opened the center. He had already been diving for three years, and his dad had been diving for about 30 years.
“I got certified (for diving) for my 12th birthday,” Tapp said. “My dad was certified in 1964.”
The decision to find and open their own diving operation came in the early 1990s. They had been working with another diving operation in Trigg County.
“We finally decided to either go ahead and get into it all the way or get rid of everything and that’s when we started looking around,” Tapp said.
When they found the 22-acre spring-fed limestone quarry on Russellville and Christian Quarry roads, they thought their search had ended, but the owners were reluctant at first, Tapp said. So the Tapps kept looking.
Eventually the quarry owners changed their minds and called the Tapps.
“We went and bought an old office trailer and that’s where we had our admissions. We didn’t have power, we didn’t have nothing, there was basically just the hole of water here,” Tapp said. “When we opened it up and we had a generator, which set outside, and hooked the trailer into it just so we could run a little cash register.”
Since then, the Tapps have built an office and small dive shop, and this year they added restrooms and changing facilities.
Kat Russell / Kentucky New Era
Although still a sparse operation, the quarry’s attractions are what divers come to see. Divers come from all over the country.
The Tapps have dropped more than 40 “sunken treasures” into the water for divers to explore, including large vehicles, boats and trailers.
“The first thing we sunk here was a 1941 Dodge fire truck and it’s still in the water today,” Tapp said. “That was our very first attraction.”
Dennis Tapp said he drove the fire truck into the water dressed in full scuba gear. When they added the RV a few years later, Dennis drove that vehicle in too.
“The man who delivered the fire truck couldn’t believe it,” Dennis laughed. “He said to me, ‘Wait a minute, I gotta get my camera for this.’”
Other attractions include a 47-foot yacht wreck, a UH1 Huey helicopter, an old school bus, various other vehicles and odds and ends like TVs, bicycles and motorcycles.
“Divers like to find things underwater,” Tapp said. “That’s part of the adventure to it. Seeing different things that you wouldn’t think would be underwater is pretty much the fun part of it and being able to explore things hands on underwater is a neat feeling.”
The Tapps have dropped more than 40 “sunken treasures” into the water for divers to explore, including large vehicles, boats and trailers.
“The first thing we sunk here was a 1941 Dodge fire truck and it’s still in the water today,” Tapp said. “That was our very first attraction.”
Dennis Tapp said he drove the fire truck into the water dressed in full scuba gear. When they added the RV a few years later, Dennis drove that vehicle in too.
“The man who delivered the fire truck couldn’t believe it,” Dennis laughed. “He said to me, ‘Wait a minute, I gotta get my camera for this.’”
Other attractions include a 47-foot yacht wreck, a UH1 Huey helicopter, an old school bus, various other vehicles and odds and ends like TVs, bicycles and motorcycles.
“Divers like to find things underwater,” Tapp said. “That’s part of the adventure to it. Seeing different things that you wouldn’t think would be underwater is pretty much the fun part of it and being able to explore things hands on underwater is a neat feeling.”
Kat Russell / Kentucky New Era
This year, Tapp said they plan to sink a houseboat and add a boat simulator for diving classes so students can learn how to dive off of a boat and how to get on and off a boat. The simulator is a 32-foot See Ray that will be anchored in the water to simulate a dive boat.
“We are always trying to add attractions to make it more fun for our divers,” Tapp said. “The more attractions we have, the more divers want to come here.”
As he sat and reflected on the past 20 years, Tapp said he and his dad never dreamed all their ideas for the center would be possible.
“It’s been an experience,” Tapp said. “We have built this place into what we’ve always imagined it could be and we’re still growing. It’s been an awesome adventure.”
Reach Kat Russell at 270-887-3241 or krussell@kentuckynewera.com.
“We are always trying to add attractions to make it more fun for our divers,” Tapp said. “The more attractions we have, the more divers want to come here.”
As he sat and reflected on the past 20 years, Tapp said he and his dad never dreamed all their ideas for the center would be possible.
“It’s been an experience,” Tapp said. “We have built this place into what we’ve always imagined it could be and we’re still growing. It’s been an awesome adventure.”
Reach Kat Russell at 270-887-3241 or krussell@kentuckynewera.com.
