BOARD ACTION: Enhance Iowa Board Awards More Than $5.1 Million in CAT Grants to 16 Communities
For more information, contact,
Jessica O’Riley, Iowa Economic Development Authority
515.348.6256
communications@iowaeda.com
Enhance Iowa Board awards more than $5.1 million in CAT grants to 16 communities
December 2, 2021 (DES MOINES) – At today’s meeting, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded $5,168,458 in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants to projects in Adair, Creston, Davenport, Decorah, Epworth, Fort Madison, Grimes, Grinnell, Hartley, Keokuk, Marshalltown, Nevada, Sioux Center, Spirit Lake, Waukee and Woodbine.
The details for the projects receiving CAT grants follows:
Project Name: Adair Community Center, Adair
Total Project Cost: $749,025
Amount Awarded: $115,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a 4,800 square-foot, ADA-compliant, wood-framed building with meeting and kitchen space, bathrooms and a patio. The meeting space is designed to accommodate events up to 170 people.
Project Name: McKinley Park Aquatic Center, Phase 1, Creston
Total Project Cost: $1,613,325
Amount Awarded: $200,000
Project Description: This project includes the installation of an all-inclusive play area, including spray features, a play structure and dump buckets. This project also will convert the toddler pool into a zero-depth entry pool and add a toddler slide. A climbing wall in the deep pool area will be installed along with shade structures. In addition, the project will include updated and new electrical systems, lighting, heaters, filter building and mechanical systems.
Project Name: Nahant Marsh Education Center, Davenport
Total Project Cost: $2,753,565
Amount Awarded: $400,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a 5,220-square-foot, college research, education and operations facility featuring a classroom, lab space and public restrooms. High speed wireless internet, computers, a smart screen and projectors will be installed in the classroom. Additional storage will be constructed for natural resources and research equipment. Also, 2.45 miles of additional trails will be added with educational signage and amenities installed along the trail.
Project Name: Sunflower Discovery Center, Decorah
Total Project Cost: $3,487,245
Amount Awarded: $500,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a new facility with at least six themed STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Music and Math) learning areas and a multi-purpose room for children’s programming, parties and small group gatherings. Two large indoor play spaces will encourage large motor skill development, movement and recreation. This space will also serve as a storm shelter for the facility. The building will be open to the public during the evenings and weekends for an admission fee or membership.
Project Name: Epworth Splash Pad, Epworth
Total Project Cost: $380,000
Amount Awarded: $60,000
Project Description: This project includes the installation of a zero-depth aquatic play area laid out over 4,387 square feet. The site sits adjacent to an existing playground, shelter house and restrooms.
Project Name: Fort Madison Marina Revitalization, Fort Madison
Total Project Cost: $4,999,945
Amount Awarded: $400,000
Project Description: This project consists of major enhancements to the existing marina, including recreational amenities like boat dock rental slips, courtesy docks, launch docks and a fuel station as well as infrastructure components like lighting, pump outs, storm drains, raised parking facilities and the marina wall.
Project Name: Grimes Public Library New Building Project, Grimes
Total Project Cost: $8,484,965
Amount Awarded: $400,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a new 22,300-square-foot building with five small study rooms, 14 public use computers, drive-thru drop-off and pick-up windows and expanded programming space. Landscaping and the development of green space will connect the library to current recreation trails.
Project Name: Grinnell Veterans Memorial Building Renovation, Grinnell
Total Project Cost: $1,913,068
Amount Awarded: $350,000
Project Description: This project involves the renovation of the Grinnell Veterans Memorial Building to house a national artist residency program focused on veteran artists (non-veterans will also be involved). The building will be available as a meeting and event space for veterans and community members.
Project Name: Hartley Community Pool, Hartley
Total Project Cost: $2,367,324
Amount Awarded: $350,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a new community pool and bathhouse. The pool will include zero-depth entry, basketball hoops, volleyball nets, ADA lift, sunshades and lap lanes.
Project Name: Keokuk Library Park, Keokuk
Total Project Cost: $796,317
Amount Awarded: $144,458
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a public park with a reading and sculpture garden, a gathering plaza, an amphitheater and a conservation planting area. These components of the park will share the city square alongside the Keokuk Public Library.
Project Name: Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center Renovation, Marshalltown
Total Project Cost: $3,607,175
Amount Awarded: $400,000
Project Description: This project includes security and climate control enhancements, proper storage for artwork not on display, plus updates to the auditorium and meeting rooms. The auditorium will have access to a new catering kitchen. Existing office space will be renovated to house several local non-profit organizations. The building will also be brought up to code with new electrical, HVAC, fire suppression and plumbing. ADA accessibility is also being addressed through the renovation.
Project Name: Nevada Fieldhouse, Nevada
Total Project Cost: $7,784,674
Amount Awarded: $424,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a new facility with approximately 40,000 square feet on the main floor and another 16,000 square feet on the second level. The facility will include gymnasium space, an indoor play area, an elevated walking/running track, a flex-space court/turf area, batting cages, lobby/social space, a multi-purpose area and offices.
Project Name: American State Bank Sports Complex, Sioux Center
Total Project Cost: $8,770,719
Amount Awarded: $500,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of an air-supported (dome) structure with an artificial turf flooring surface inside. The project will also include the construction of a head-end building, which will serve as the main entrance to the Sports Complex with space for offices, concessions, storage, restrooms and changing rooms.
Project Name: Igniting a Healthy Legacy, Spirit Lake
Total Project Cost: $4,075,622
Amount Awarded: $325,000
Project Description: This project consists of the overhaul of three existing facilities and construction of three new buildings at Camp Foster. The new buildings include a visitor’s center/office, welcome center/airnasium and a double cabin with capacity of up to 20 campers. Renovations will convert the current visitors center to a health lodge, the current health center to additional cabins and expand the dining hall.
Project Name: All-Inclusive Area at Triumph Park, Waukee
Total Project Cost: $1,072,579
Amount Awarded: $200,000
Project Description: This project will include a Miracle League™ Ball Park, an EPIC Inclusive Playground and an ADA-compliant fishing pier at Triumph Park. All three facilities will be supported by ADA-compliant restrooms, parking and trails.
Project Name: Willow Lake Nature Center, Woodbine
Total Project Cost: $4,224,283
Amount Awarded: $400,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a two-story Nature Center and office space for the Harrison County Conservation Board. This new center will provide a space for guests to discover, learn and explore more about the unique Loess Hills ecosystem and important water quality issues around them through dynamic displays, new trails, up-to-date technology and flexible classroom space.
The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. To date, 99 CAT grants have been awarded by the board, totaling $31,508,183. The next Enhance Iowa Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 6 (if board review or action is needed.)
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