The Vision Iowa Board awarded 23 projects around the state with Community Attraction and Tourism — or “CAT” — grants this year.

Board spokesperson Jessica O’Riley says the CAT program reached a big milestone in 2013. “The total CAT project costs, from the very first CAT award to this year, topped one-billion dollars,” O’Riley says. The CAT program was launched 14 years ago.

In 2013, the total CAT project costs topped $42 million. The Vision Iowa Board awarded just over $5.5 million to those projects.

The smallest CAT grant award this year was $25,000 toward the construction of a park pavilion in the small northwest Iowa town of Moville. The largest awards went to massive projects in Des Moines and Pella.

The Vision Iowa Board awarded a $1 million grant to the Pella Sports Park project, which carries a total price tag of nearly $7.5 million. The project includes the construction of four Little League fields, one Babe Ruth field and five multi-purpose fields, plus various amenities such as a main concession stand, batting cages, a picnic and playground area, and parking.

Officials in Pella believe the facility, once opened in 2015, will draw regional tournaments. “They’ll get teams to come in and stay for the weekend…of course, teams will have to stay in hotels, and shop and eat. All of that contributes to economic impact,” O’Riley says.

The biggest CAT grant awarded in 2013 was $1.1 million for the renovation of a 35-year-old public space in downtown Des Moines formerly known as Nollen Plaza. The $9.7 million project, called Cowles Commons, will include gardens, a new water feature, and a new stage for Des Moines Performing Arts programs.

Projects awarded Vision Iowa CAT grants in 2013 (from Vision Iowa Board):

Des Moines Social Club  – Des Moines

Total Project Cost: $3,304,298

Amount Requested: $404,068

Amount Awarded: $404,068

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project includes the acquisition and historical renovations of the existing 25,000-square-foot Fire Station No. 1 and 5,000-square-foot adjacent maintenance building at 900 Mulberry Street in downtown Des Moines to house the Des Moines Social Club. Major components include a flexible theater space, classrooms, art gallery, 900-square-foot dance studio, an art-making studio, scenic shop and raw office/retail/restaurant space to be adapted by tenants.

 

Robey Memorial Library Expansion  – Waukon

Total Project Cost: $1,549,361

Amount Requested: $97,949

Amount Awarded: $95,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project will expand the current 5,360-square-foot library to 12,160 square feet, including a 1,425-square-foot community/program room.

 

Van Horne Community Projects  – Van Horne

Total Project Cost: $1,144,000

Amount Requested: $168,662

Amount Awarded: $165,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 60 days.

 

This project includes the construction of a new, 4,800-square-foot community center with seating for approximately 200 and the construction of a new 3,200-square-foot library.

 

Lowe Park Sculpture Trail and Amphitheater – Marion

Total Project Cost: $1,317,000

Amount Requested: $250,311

Amount Awarded: $250,311

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project includes the construction of a large amphitheater at Lowe Park with a distinctive canopy, associated utilities, storm water management and wetlands construction/restoration.

 

Louisa County Fair Youth Center – Columbus Junction

Total Project Cost: $218,421

Amount Requested: $37,071

Amount Awarded: $37,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project includes the construction of a Youth Learning Center on the Louisa County Fairgrounds. The 7,680-square-foot facility will feature a 3,000-square-foot congregate room with a kitchen, a 2,800-square-foot covered patio area for outdoor activities, and restrooms with shower facilities that will be available for use when the building is not available.

 

Koser Spring Lake Park Renovation – Cherokee

Total Project Cost: $215,000

Amount Requested: $42,400

Amount Awarded: $40,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project includes multiple enhancements to Spring Lake Park: the resurfacing and widening of a 20-year-old, five-foot-wide asphalt trail around the lake; construction of one outdoor picnic shelter; and a new trail from Spring Lake Park East to Sequoia Drive.

 

Avery Theater – Garner

Total Project Cost: $251,000

Amount Requested: $48,912

Amount Awarded: $45,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 60 days, with an emphasis on additional contribution from the City or County.

 

This project includes the total rehabilitation of the existing building into a 225-seat theater.

 

Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District – CAT 2 – Sioux City

Total Project Cost: $2,661,897

Amount Requested: $314,862

Amount Awarded: $314,862

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project includes the exterior renovation of five historic buildings, the construction of a permanent restroom facility and an alternative transportation system of interpretive walking trails, parking lot and a miniature railroad. Additionally, this project will also support interior improvements to the roundhouse building and continue interior improvements to the machine shop building.

 

Moville Main Street Pavilion – Moville

Total Project Cost: $123,137

Amount Requested: $46,706

Amount Awarded: $25,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 60 days.

 

This project includes the construction of a park pavilion containing an updated kitchen with hot and cold water, food preparation area, fully handicap-accessible restrooms, and covered open air seating for approximately 200-250 people. In addition, a sand volleyball court will be relocated in the park.

 

John Wayne Birthplace Museum – Winterset

Total Project Cost: $1,380,389

Amount Requested: $450,904

Amount Awarded: $400,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 60 days.

 

This project includes the construction of the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, an interactive museum and learning center honoring the life and work of John Wayne.

 

The facility will include a welcome center, theater, extensive exhibit space, and gift shop.

The Vision 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. Currently, 373 CAT awards have been granted by the board, totaling $139,595,090. The next Vision Iowa Board meeting is scheduled for June 12, 2013, in Des Moines.

 

Pella Sports Park Project – Pella

Total Project Cost: $7,487,472

Amount Requested: $1,088,986

Amount Awarded: $1,000,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project includes the construction of four Little League fields, one Babe Ruth field and five multi-purpose fields, plus adequate amenities in an 105-acre area as well as a main concession stand, batting cages, playground area, picnic areas, lighting and centralized parking.

 

Thomas Jefferson Gardens of Greene County, Jefferson

Total Project Cost: $369,362

Amount Requested: $71,233

Amount Awarded: $70,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 90 days.

 

This project will include installation of an irrigation system, perimeter fencing, a paved walkway, moldboard plow, split rail fences, and the planting of trees, grasses and shrubs.


Templeton Community Center, Templeton

Total Project Cost: $1,738,306

Amount Requested: $200,000

Amount Awarded: $200,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 90 days.

 

This project includes the conversion of a former elementary school into a multi-purpose community and recreation center that will include facilities for conferences, meetings, banquets, outdoor events, camping and athletic facilities.

 

The Community Center at Five Island Lake, Emmetsburg

Total Project Cost: $2,649,426

Amount Requested: $357,388

Amount Awarded: $350,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 60 days.

 

This project includes the construction of a 10,060-square-foot community room located on the shores of Five Island Lake. The facility will include an open floor plan to serve up to 325 guests, a large main conference room with additional meeting rooms, restrooms, a spacious kitchen facility, bar, lounge, golf pro shop, storage and offices.

 

Opening Whiterock: Iowa’s Backcountry Trail Attraction, Coon Rapids

Total Project Cost: $4,225,890

Amount Requested: $404,785

Amount Awarded: $400,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 60 days.

 

This project includes the construction of 35 miles of state-of-the-art “soft trails” through a seven-square-mile landscape at Whiterock Conservancy, remodeling of the Visitors Center and trail signage.

 

Cowles Commons Renovation, Des Moines

Total Project Cost: $9,738,706

Amount Requested: $1,194,436

Amount Awarded: $1,100,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 60 days.

 

This project includes a complete renovation of the 35-year-old public space, including a large community gathering space, gardens, new fountain and new public art piece. The area will also provide a “fourth stage” for Des Moines Performing Arts programs and community partnerships.

 

Merrill Field Renovation, Harlan

Total Project Cost: $1,528,499

Amount Requested: $201,174

Amount Awarded: $200,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project will renovate the Merrill Field Complex including new handicap accessible entrances, ADA approved bleachers, replacement of the 18-year-old track, new lighting system, relocation of the entrance and exit, and adding Field Turf to the playing field.

 

STEM Initiative, Davenport

Total Project Cost: $1,604,481

Amount Requested: $300,000

Amount Awarded: $300,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 60 days.

 

This project will renovate more than 10,000 square feet of exhibit space into a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Learning Center. Components will include the renovation, fabrication and installation of 11 exhibit areas featuring 47 interactive exhibit features

 

Lelah Bradley Active Living Campus – Appanoose All Play Sports Complex

Total Project Cost: $600,000

Amount Requested: $119,660

Amount Awarded: $105,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 90 days.

 

Phase Two of the Lelah Bradley Active Living Campus includes the construction of two camper cabins in the Lelah Bradley Conservation area; the addition of a soccer/multipurpose field; an irrigation system to the entire sports complex; and additional parking to both the conservation area and the sports complex.

 

RECAT Projects

 

Riverfront Park  – Charles City

Total Project Cost: $180,000

Amount Requested: $36,054

Amount Awarded: $36,054

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project includes additions to Riverfront Park, specifically two picnic shelters, a trail and a retaining wall.

 

Botna Bend Park Enhancements  – Hancock

Total Project Cost: $585,721

Amount Requested: $187,375

Amount Awarded: $175,500

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 90 days.

 

This project includes construction of a new modern restroom at the north end of the park; concrete and permeable paver camp pads and drives plus a waterless toilet in the main campground; a waterless toilet and shower tower for water trail users and the south campground; and interpretive panels for bison, elk, wetlands and the river.

 

Shades of Rhythm, Amphitheater Project, Waverly

Total Project Cost: $285,000

Amount Requested: $78,000

Amount Awarded: $78,000

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 90 days.

 

This project will construct an 18-foot by 90-foot amphitheater in Kohlmann Park.

 

Manchester Whitewater Park, Manchester

Total Project Cost: $1,765,283

Amount Requested: $300,000

Amount Awarded: $300,000 ($90,904 from RECAT; $209,096 from CAT)

Award Contingencies: Completion of fundraising within 30 days.

 

This project includes the construction of a whitewater course spanning approximately 900 feet. Modifications associated with the project include removal of the top five to six feet of the existing Marion Street dam, in-stream modifications including the construction of five additional drop features, bank restoration and terracing, improved access points, and development of spectator locations.