By Denise Lana,
The first phase in the construction of Decorah’s future multi-purpose sports facility is scheduled to begin this spring but, with $1.5 million of the estimated $2.6 million construction cost still needed, city officials have held numerous meetings to discuss ways to raise additional funds.
The future sports facility site, located along Old Stage Road just past Walmart, will be developed in at least two phases, and about two-thirds of the costs are expected to be covered by funds set aside in the city’s FY25 budget.
City Manager Travis Goedken met with members of the Decorah Parks and Recreation Board on Thursday, Feb. 13 to see if the group could come up with a solid plan of attack for raising the remaining funds. He said, with construction scheduled to start in the next several months, he hopes to have funds secured or pledged before bids for the project are awarded.
“By early to mid-March, we’ve got to have this fundraising plan underway,” Goedken said. “We’ve gotta hit it pretty hard and heavy to have everything secure in time for a late April bid letting.”
Naming rights have remained a potential priority for fundraising — organizations could ascribe their business name to features such as ball fields, dugouts, score boards, the concessions stand and pickle ball courts. City officials indicated the name of the park itself might also be available as part of the fundraising effort, but they have yet to decide on how to fairly offer such an option — some suggested holding an auction, others proposed the idea of a bid system, and still others put forward the idea of a first-come-first-served model.
Parks and rec board member Zach Kerndt, who has a long history of fundraising with the local fire department and county fairgrounds, said a bidding process has worked well in his experience.
“It gives folks a good chance,” Kerndt said. “Anything with wind banners and naming rights, I do a lot of fundraising with both of them.”
Kerndt added selling banners for advertising is a surefire hit with people in town. He indicated the 12-by-24 foot advertising banners around the racetrack at the county fairgrounds were a hard sell at first, but he said that changed once the banners were installed.
“Now that they are up, I have a waiting list of businesses wanting to advertise,” Kerndt said. “Signs on the outfield fence might be bigger, but might be harder to see, whereas if it’s at the backstop, it’s smaller but easier to see.”
Other fundraising suggestions included a retaining wall displaying the names of donors or incentivizing donations with experiences, such as throwing out the first pitch at a ball game.
The parks and rec board will meet Thursday, Feb. 20 to discuss specific fundraising levels for naming rights. Those interested in donating to the park project are asked to contact Mark Holtey at 563-382-4158 or Travis Goedken at 563-382-3651.
(Photo submitted)
New funds established to support Decorah Parks and Recreation Department
The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department and the city of Decorah have established two new funds with the Winneshiek County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, aimed at enhancing recreational opportunities in Decorah. These funds — the Ball Fields and Pickleball Courts Project Fund and the Wayside Park Basketball Hoops Fund — will support improvements to the city’s recreational infrastructure.
The Ball Fields and Pickleball Courts Project Fund has been created to support the construction of new recreational facilities in Decorah. The project, spearheaded by the city of Decorah and the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department, will expand opportunities for sports, recreation and events. Planned implementation of the project’s first phase includes the construction of two 280-foot ball fields with batting tunnels and dugouts, four pickleball courts, a 100-stall parking lot with a drop-off area, an extended mowed trail system, native plantings with a stormwater detention basin, and a plaza with a portable restroom enclosure. Planned implementation of the project’s second phase are expected to bring additional amenities, including two more ball fields, four more pickleball courts and infrastructure to support an even broader range of programs and events. The project site is located along Old Stage Road adjacent to the Decorah Dog Park and Freeport Trail.
“We are thrilled to establish this fund and bring these much-needed recreational facilities to Decorah,” said Marc Holtey, director of the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department. “This project represents our commitment to providing modern, accessible spaces for all to enjoy.”
The Wayside Park Basketball Hoops Fund was created to replace the existing basketball hoops in Decorah’s Wayside Park, near the intersection of College Drive and Fifth Avenue. The initiative seeks to improve the park’s playability and accessibility for individuals of all ages.
“The new basketball hoops at Wayside Park will create an improved experience for players of all ages,” Holtey said. “This upgrade reflects our dedication to maintaining high-quality recreational spaces for our community.”
Financial gifts of cash or check as well as stock are being accepted through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa — 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613. Checks to the funds should be made payable to the Ball Fields and Pickleball Courts Fund or the Wayside Park Basketball Hoops Fund. Gifts can also be made through the Community Foundation’s secure website at cfneia.org/donations/ball-fields-and-pickleball or cfneia.org/donations/waysidepark. Donors to the fund may take advantage of federal deductions for charitable gifts.
Questions may be directed to Terry Gaumer, charitable advisor with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, at 319-243-1354 or tgaumer@cfneia.org.
For more information about the Winneshiek County Community Foundation, visit www.winneshiekccf.org.
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