Roanoke County's Explore Park would be the centerpiece of a grand plan to make the Roanoke Valley "a destination -- a place where people can experience a weekend getaway, sporting events or a full-fledged vacation," board of supervisors Chairman Mike Altizer said in the annual state-of-the-county address Tuesday.

Saying real estate taxes are no longer sufficient to fund growth in the region, Altizer said, "We can not only survive, but thrive as a destination point" for tourists. And to do that, he said, would require continuing "regional cooperation like never before."

Altizer addressed more than 200 business, government and education leaders in a breakfast sponsored by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. His vision of valleywide cooperation to achieve that "destination" status was endorsed by the mayors of Roanoke, Salem and Vinton, each of whom joined him on the podium near the end of the speech.

Altizer, the Vinton District representative on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, said Explore Park "is a fantastic facility that is quite frankly on the verge of closing for good. With Larry Vander Maten, we have the makings of something great."

Vander Maten is a Florida-based developer who has a 50-year lease with the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority to develop the park. He also has repeatedly described his intention to create a "destination resort" that would draw people from more than four hours away for multiday visits.

Vander Maten's deal has drawn criticism from some who object to putting 1,100 acres of public land under private control, and others who fear that the developer's lack of details about his plans are leaving the site open for offensive development.

Nevertheless, Vander Maten has so far found broad support among county officials -- who are studying zoning conditions for the site -- and many of the park's neighbors for the proposed development.

"We need to capitalize on our region's scenic beauty, cultural amenities and relaxing atmosphere," Altizer said.

Noting that the region already has some venues for sporting events -- such as a Girls Softball Class B World Series that is expected to contribute $4 million to the local economy next summer -- Altizer asked the audience to "imagine what it would be like to have our own water park, theme park, large-scale aquatic center or another major sports complex in our area."

He said and the other governmental leaders -- Roanoke Mayor Nelson Harris, Salem Mayor Sonny Tarpley and Vinton Mayor Brad Grose -- have already been meeting regularly to discuss the regional issues.

In an interview after the speech, Harris said he and the other mayors "stand 100 percent behind" Altizer's vision. Acknowledging the scant details on the Explore Park plans, Harris said it nonetheless "could be a major draw."

But cooperation begins with other, much less expensive, projects, he noted. One, already under way, is an inventory of all the public recreational facilities in the valley to determine the availability of sites for major sporting events, and the need for regional facilities.

While that likely won't affect the current debate over renovating or replacing Victory Stadium in the city, Harris said it could be the beginning of "coordinated advocacy" for bringing major events to the region.

"Explore Park ... now offers one of our biggest hopes to becoming the great destination I envision," Altizer said. "What we have here is a potential anchor for the Roanoke Valley."

"To be participants in the future, we must be proactive and not reactionary," he concluded.