[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6070932,"mediaKeyId","3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096","parentId",3048906,"title","5 Flags Civic Center budget reflects community events and a multi-year capital plan; council hears need for a theatre envelope assessment","audioSeconds",231,"startMs",11826000,"endMs",12057000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096&start=11826&end=12057","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096/thumbnail_11826000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6070932/Dubuque-City/Dubuque-County/Iowa/5-Flags-Civic-Center-budget-reflects-community-events-and-a-multi-year-capital-plan-council-hears-need-for-a-theatre-envelope-assessment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070932-d64f8a60d9154e82e393f23cfd565b47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191866&Signature=OevgKJ4gnoLDq-3BIURrwf9BcnMHE2cdaMPpoYUsg9vzrruFogMTddDyhKA40ir3ZE0pOLaWjBHng8EwWZrI1MXBraa-WjYj0oGRPAE-LMP3s4kfgMfOCwe2yZiMiea7~7XA6DidID~lTXYF61RsYXwIuTgSO5Zmr1MHlBcZC8CTjdMXcXCWSrVdrPN~SzlGXyiNN~LxWrvDaYOPPbk2GzbpSwdttoyLXJRcPJELLA47sIEGEnU3GLH0pvC6gUrOJ5dOV7ysnfNjoVtZ8OIHP1z5aoxzmNcHX21Gge2AzmmPIciqn3d9bdEDoivdlzdmPdOAEE79vMOfT-wrrcNckA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Dubuque Government","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","Marie Ware, Parks and Recreation Director, presented the 5 Flags Civic Center FY2026 budget and capital outlook to City Council on April 9. 5 Flags is currently operated by ASM Global under a management contract; Ware said the city owns the facility and funds capital work and insurance while the operator manages day-to-day staffing and sales.

Community role and events: Ware highlighted 5 Flags’ role as a civic venue for ticketed entertainment, community programs and charity drives. Recent local uses cited in the presentation included Toys for Tots, Apples for Students school-supply distribution (more than 3,600 supplies delivered in 2024), pickleball and youth tournaments, Wags of the Flags and seasonal family activities. Ware noted an audience mix across income brackets and age groups for ticket buyers and emphasized the venue’s role as a downtown anchor for visitors and event attendees.

Capital planning and theatre concerns: Staff described ongoing concerns in the historic theater portion of 5 Flags and proposed a theatre-envelope assessment to identify water infiltration and masonry and framing repairs. Ware said the building has experienced water damage in places and noted the theater is on the National Register, requiring preservation-sensitive repair approaches. Ware also reviewed a multi-year capital plan figure—presented as a planning target in staff materials—of roughly $24,000,000 for phased building envelope and major repairs, with funds staged across several fiscal years and a request to engage architectural and design services as a first step.

Management transition and procurement: Ware told council the city had started an RFP / contract negotiation process for future management; staff said a formal procurement schedule and any transition work would be managed so programing and operations are not disrupted.

Public-safety and community access: 5 Flags can serve as an emergency shelter and has been used in recent local incidents for Red Cross sheltering. Ware emphasized the venue’s community and emergency uses while noting that the management contract includes benchmark and incentive provisions that affect annual operating subsidy calculations.

Next steps: Staff proposed a theatre-envelope assessment and the first-step procurement for architectural and design services; council discussion focused on timing, the building’s historic requirements and the need to balance multi-year capital planning with other city priorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Dubuque FY 2026 Budget Meeting #4 | April 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","ASM Global manages 5 Flags while the city funds capital improvements. Staff briefed council on the venue’s community role, an upcoming theatre-envelope assessment and a multi-year $24 million planning figure under review in the capital improvement plan.","taxTitle","Dubuque City, Dubuque County, Iowa","taxId",4967,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070937,"ImOn Arena reports growth in youth access programs; dehumidification and concessions work planned",681,10156000,10837000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096&start=10156&end=10837","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096/thumbnail_10156000.jpg","/articles/6070937/Dubuque-City/Dubuque-County/Iowa/ImOn-Arena-reports-growth-in-youth-access-programs-dehumidification-and-concessions-work-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070937-61269a6a8977bff25cf7dc1d9aca867c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191866&Signature=T2v9ouL5HzNSMccAv4OBfAopgbH4jB-iLDvSjxXQrUC8pm1UfTDV9-JPBbTyH3ZIXAeF82lW76zU8uFjxfVeLqjnTBPhCO53QguLY0itjH0rCJxAFWB3fu6CDEXrEepjNNyaGQaylFt1oy71CeywMmciYNF~wPsftcindqcvTlY-tIMQ0upb5tZGuVg~5kN55rEe372P0Dj7OHFO8FEIAVTRGtJS~1ftERbVeeAeuLn-Dp1qa3oCJ5FVVFnRel7xLi042kCmxYEt5CZtFOuc9s6yXzbx6x~OpTPCJGvHVlLsGztobWIOhbCnZgql7u95tgTEFjqAhp5qeeLfCkDqSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marie Ware, Parks and Recreation Director, and arena staff reviewed ImOn Arena operations, recent outreach programs and recommended capital work during the department’s FY2026 budget presentation.

Highlights and programming: Ware and arena management described new and expanded programs, including a Blackhawks ‘‘Learn to Play’’ youth hockey initiative that offered full equipment and programming for 5–9-year-olds, and a local Skate for All program funded with $10,000 from the city’s recreation budget to issue free vouchers for school field trips and targeted community access. Ware said ImOn Arena’s outreach included school field trips and themed public skating events that helped expand skating exposure to children and families.

Capital and facilities: Staff said a dehumidification project—approved previously and estimated by staff at roughly $500,000—will begin after the current Saints season and is expected mostly complete by late August so it can be scheduled between major ice seasons. Staff also reported recent improvements to concession prep areas intended to speed customer throughput during breaks and peak events.

Community and public-safety role: ImOn Arena serves as a cooling center in heat events and is available for certain emergency sheltering; staff also noted community uses such as youth tournaments and college-club play drove weekends of activity and hotel-room nights for the city.

Quotes and context: Ware said the Blackhawks “learn to play” program is notable because “This is the only location in Iowa” offering that league-based introduction under the team’s umbrella. Staff emphasized that facility improvements are timed to minimize disruption to seasonal schedules.

Next steps: The dehumidification installation will proceed on the post-season schedule; staff will continue to market ImOn programming and report results to the council as part of parks-and-recreation performance tracking.","ImOn Arena operators described expanded youth and access programming and upcoming equipment upgrades, including a dehumidifier project and concession-area improvements to speed service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070942,"OVG-managed Grand River Center posts awards, seeks steady operating support in FY2026 request",639,8963000,9602000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096&start=8963&end=9602","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096/thumbnail_8963000.jpg","/articles/6070942/Dubuque-City/Dubuque-County/Iowa/OVG-managed-Grand-River-Center-posts-awards-seeks-steady-operating-support-in-FY2026-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070942-edb095cbc222f61efa331e9e8df84b8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191866&Signature=R2KiB6Da5nI9wF2WjC5Rr7vW0RqpvzFk-Mg2PzzvVJdWFZPdVyj~~GFtcI7ijpTYlv5rHdK8FkPmc5hifTlBb7xSLPoqGl5ZozwFmST-gLL2GO~~cDwPQJDPzpBqgZuPIleE6H8~HE9ScUBJrNiUp89pufmJZbeM7ZiSMTauA78TiaCTyrbp82woOYJccz9UevcqJMg3YPpE6hZwH4z4RkGa7ekZd-fWBcJTuggl9yrSK-UKXbOeMPPZrC0lfyI1U3eoLey5fq8V~rQ0gWM1PaX7CdLPQLoWjBGncWL1ylC530w8BxawDp5ywRQcQX7DcvyCyjbLf36mWzQKfw26Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and the Oak View Group (OVG) general manager briefed the council on Grand River Center operations during the April 9 special budget session. Marie Ware, Parks and Recreation Director, said the city owns the building and buys capital improvements and insurance; OVG handles day-to-day management under contract.

OVG’s recent initiatives drew attention in the presentation. Ware described a staff-led accessibility program and certification through Culture City for sensory-sensitive events and noted the Grand River Center won a North Star Stellar Award recognizing excellence among Midwest convention centers. The center also provided business leads that helped secure a youth volleyball tournament that expanded into multiple city venues, bringing teams, spectators and hotel room nights for the community.

Why it matters: The facility’s operating budget carries an ongoing city subsidy; Ware’s presentation noted the Grand River Center’s operating support amounts to about $18.37 per average property owner in the city’s budget materials. Staff said and OVG reported continued efforts to grow conventions and community events while investing in food-and-beverage quality and venue marketing.

Capital and operations: The packet includes a recommended public-restroom remodel for Grand River Center among proposed capital items. Ware told council that OVG’s management fee structure, operating loss formula and incentive elements are governed by the management contract and that staff receive monthly reports and surveys from event organizers to monitor customer satisfaction and operational trends.

Quotes and context: \"The building is owned by the city of Dubuque,\" Ware said, underlining the city’s capital-responsibility role. Ware and OVG staff described community partnerships, food-and-beverage upgrades and volunteer outreach that generated local benefits and supported regional event bookings.

Next steps: Staff will continue to track operational benchmarks and customer surveys and to review OVG’s monthly reporting; capital requests will move through the CIP and budget-adoption process.","City staff reviewed Grand River Center operations run by OVG, highlighting a Culture City accessibility certification, a North Star Stellar Award and outreach that helped attract a multi-venue youth volleyball tournament.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070947,"Recreation officials report rising participation, push scholarship and program investments",406,6360000,6766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096&start=6360&end=6766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096/thumbnail_6360000.jpg","/articles/6070947/Dubuque-City/Dubuque-County/Iowa/Recreation-officials-report-rising-participation-push-scholarship-and-program-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070947-2a8b6870172dd64eb4fe12ff25a6630a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191866&Signature=gGz4kERmtcW9eTkvxBBh9Gxn2vjUURUgGDD-A5~a8tn7UvjgMfeK8XsSUPN~bpARTtD9LWnc2uXeMrZC8xWeD--kko9Q52FdjMeTkvst3xrHZSqtJnc6KkvU5I6e2NRH81Cis4IkSYgiK-rwPi3i6c7vl69Liks47EDN228aP8nsmDQgHuVncN3OHBDmBHc00PKoxpAj6wvZJLVXWCZ7uB11eMKDxaLvsDCiN4bWMOQMVRb1DCTW6aTTobG-5dbD~dV6FzhrBhOj7ebq5DyUuO4mtnQXQjKZmCJ0~i~vbp0SIsEXSJfAJeFTMc8xJoOGGoqQ-RAGb614WwcwfRU82A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dan Kroger, recreation division manager, summarized the Recreation Division’s FY2026 operating and capital priorities, telling the council the division’s staff and partners have increased program access and participation since the post-pandemic decline.

Kroger said employee retention has improved: “68% of our staff that worked for us last year are already committed to coming back to us this year,” he said. The department also reported a 13% increase in applicants through March and rising winter participation totals; Kroger said winter registrants exceeded 1,000 this year for the first time since the pandemic-related drops.

Program access and subsidies: The department operates a scholarship program that provides up to $150 in registration credit per qualifying household; Kroger said roughly $21,000 in scholarship dollars were redeemed in the preceding year. Staff described partnerships—Creative Adventure Lab, Miracle League, AmeriCorps and local nonprofits—that expand low-cost or free programming, food access for playground participants and other services.

Recommended improvement requests and revenue items: The packet included three notable items: a correction to the Bunker Hill Golf Course pro position (adjusting the FTE from 0.94 to 1.0 to formalize a prior contractual conversion), a one-time contract to support the 4 Mounds adventure camp this summer (to cover a gap created by shifting CDBG eligibility) and a recurring proposal to raise a daily golf fee by $1 that staff estimated could produce up to $48,000 annually for the golf fund. Kroger said the golf fee increase would be part of a standard alternating review of passes and daily fees.

Facilities and operations: Staff highlighted recent capital work such as new filtration systems at both city pools and upgrades at golf-course facilities; Kroger noted the department’s work to collect program data and change schedules to match participant demand—for example increasing evening swim-lesson slots after analysis showed higher evening demand and larger evening class sizes.

What’s next: The division will continue outreach tied to the parks and recreation comprehensive master plan and pursue additional non-programmatic revenue such as banner sales and other sponsorships; Kroger told council staff plan to bring options and implementation details as the budget process advances.

Speakers and attribution: Kroger, recreation supervisors and other department staff were the primary presenters; Dan Kroger and named staff Jana Bowe and Nick Stroschein were cited in the presentation.","Recreation staff told council FY2026 operating requests support growing participation, improved seasonal staff retention and targeted program funding; small, nonrecurring contracts and fee adjustments were proposed for golf and camp partners.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6070952,"Dubuque parks directors outline FY2026 needs as residents press for Eagle Point Park repairs",4763,1394000,6157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096&start=1394&end=6157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048906-83de98712e099491ccf7e6a5c4a61096/thumbnail_1394000.jpg","/articles/6070952/Dubuque-City/Dubuque-County/Iowa/Dubuque-parks-directors-outline-FY2026-needs-as-residents-press-for-Eagle-Point-Park-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070952-0a17c34dde89f08ac2792c255e1a497b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191867&Signature=MjA38JNsho~ybQoY9-OdmQsPbAK1Zgkvlh5F3PyzNIi4BDUwEzVzyGFOQsXuIBgCUi1sManKLQAR5OVZWA5~4BpP669kkfHhAyw~ZF0wPElmZpDgKfVl1vAPO6tExq9RaxLnRL1JotP01EDV-1NgsR3TG5vdcyOar2N6hgVWM0nrkxN28IAIOL5256Ym8cVedbgDVizZYSSP-yK0Y37GlhtMnYlDX6uW96zVxwOaR~lCtOfQR3YT7fsPzHniOTCYIKDvHodEyM8o8UoFk~FBRP47mMowRwB9rUtbWHN-A-bQafE3p267L46ssEBX1z6s8oP-BdqNlUBLXg~oETRuoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marie Ware, the city’s parks and recreation director, presented the Parks Department’s fiscal year 2026 budget and improvement requests to the Dubuque City Council on April 9, saying the department’s net property tax support request is “a little under $4,000,000,” which Ware said translates to about $61.22 for the average homeowner.

The Parks Department presentation emphasized staffing limits, reliance on seasonal employees and a list of capital projects and grants. Ware said the department depends heavily on temporary summer staff and that “we could not do it without them.” Park division manager Steve Fazel told council the division maintains more than 50 parks, about 30 miles of trails and an urban-tree program but is short-handed: “we have a tree crew of 3 people,” he said, and recent storms have strained crews and delayed nonurgent work.

Why it matters: Eagle Point Park, long a focal point of resident concern, drew the bulk of public comment and much of the council discussion. Multiple speakers who live near or use Eagle Point urged faster repairs, more maintenance and community involvement to restore the park’s appearance and preserve historic elements.

Residents called for quicker action. “Eagle Point Park should be a capital improvement plan,” said Jean McDonald, who gave her address as 3120 Eagle Point Park. Rob McDonald, who lives at 3399 Eagle Pointe Drive, described the park as “the crown jewel of our park system” and urged cleanup and ongoing maintenance rather than only intermittent projects.

Council members and staff discussed several related topics that came up during the public comments: historic-structure needs at park buildings, deferred maintenance on park infrastructure, tree removal and canopy work, and prairie management. Fazel said some prairie areas still require prescribed burning and noted the city lacks certified burn crews and sometimes must hire contractors to perform those tasks. He also described a recent federal grant to expand tree planting (the Branching Out Dubuque effort) and credited partners such as Dubuque Trees Forever and AmeriCorps volunteers for helping plant starter trees.

Improvement packages and capital items: Ware and Fazel reviewed two recommended improvement-level requests that were in the packet: a full-time maintenance technician for the B Branch (funded by stormwater fees; Ware and staff listed a net cost of about $57,000 and an initial cost figure shown as $82,000 in the presentation) and a utility trailer to haul equipment such as a mini excavator. They also reviewed capital projects and CIP items including additional funding for the parks and recreation comprehensive master plan, Komisky Park Phase 2 design and construction match to an Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program (ORLP) federal grant, playground replacements, and funding to remove and replace ash trees and associated sidewalk repairs.

Council action and next steps: Councilmembers agreed to hold one improvement-package request for separate discussion at a later budget session. The item held was request 3 of 7 on the improvement package list, described in staff materials as a full-time maintenance technician for the Park Division; the mayor and councilmembers confirmed the item would be revisited at the final budget discussion. City Manager Mike Van Milligen and several councilmembers encouraged formation or strengthening of volunteer “friends” groups or nonprofit partners—similar to existing local examples such as the Arboretum volunteers, Friends of the Mines of Spain and Dubuque Trees Forever—to supplement city maintenance and fundraising for historic preservation needs.

Quotes and context: Ware framed the staffing challenge and pride among employees: “We could not do it without them,” she said of seasonal staff and volunteers. Fazel described the department’s limited tree crew and recent storm impacts: “We have a tree crew of 3 people,” he said. McDonald told the council, “Eagle Point Park should be a capital improvement plan.” Rob McDonald said of the park’s condition, “It is the crown jewel of our park system.” Van Milligen urged community partnerships and nonprofit support as a practical route to supplement city funding and volunteer capacity.

What’s next: Parks staff will continue work on the parks and recreation comprehensive master plan, with public engagement continuing through August; staff told the council they expect a final plan around January. Council members left one staffing improvement request (the Park Division maintenance technician line) open for separate debate at the final budget hearing so the body can weigh competing priorities before finalizing the FY2026 budget.","Parks staff presented fiscal year 2026 operating and capital requests and defended maintenance priorities as more than a dozen residents urged immediate work at Eagle Point Park. Council held one parks staffing improvement package for later discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

5 Flags Civic Center budget reflects community events and a multi-year capital plan; council hears need for a theatre envelope assessment

ImOn Arena reports growth in youth access programs; dehumidification and concessions work planned

OVG-managed Grand River Center posts awards, seeks steady operating support in FY2026 request

Recreation officials report rising participation, push scholarship and program investments

Dubuque parks directors outline FY2026 needs as residents press for Eagle Point Park repairs