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Eldora Children’s Center asks Hardin County for $25,000 loan to finish parking and playground at new facility
Summary
Directors of Eldora Children’s Center told the Hardin County board they have completed interior renovations and are operating at a new site but need a $25,000 loan from the county economic development fund to finish a parking lot (≈$50,000) and a playground (≈$50,000–$60,000); presenters said fundraising so far has yielded nearly $200,000.
Kendra Kendall, director of Eldora Children’s Center, asked the Hardin County board on June 25, 2025, for financial help to complete the nonprofit child care center’s relocation and safety upgrades. Kendall told the board the center finished interior renovations and is operating at a newly purchased former school building at 1025 Eleventh Avenue but still needs a parking lot and playground to meet licensing and safety needs.
Kendall said the center, which has served Hardin County families since 2006 and holds a Level 2 rating under Iowa’s quality rating system, provides full-day care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years and is the only large-capacity licensed child care facility within about 25 miles. She said the school district declined to renew the center’s previous lease, requiring an accelerated relocation within weeks and intensive renovations to meet state licensing and fire marshal requirements.
Presenters reported that phase 1 of the project (interior work) is complete and the center is operating in the new facility. They gave estimates for remaining work: a parking/drop-off area at roughly $50,000 and a playground at $50,000–$60,000. Fundraising to date, they said, includes about $82,824 in grants, $18,266 raised through events, and $98,670 in donations, which presenters described as bringing them close to $200,000 in total raised. A board representative asked the county for a $25,000 loan from the Hardin County Economic Development Fund to finish phase 2 (parking), and said loan forgiveness has been discussed informally but that no loan terms or conditions were presented to the board.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the fundraising timeline and location; presenters said most funds were raised in a year or less and confirmed the new address. County staff and board members said they could not decide immediately and would follow up with staff (Deb) and consider placing the request on a future agenda for formal action. Presenters offered tours of the renovated facility.
Votes at a glance: earlier in the meeting the board approved the day’s agenda, minutes of June 18, 2025, and claims for 06/25/2025 by voice vote; it approved Resolution 2025-23 (canceling outstanding warrants for fiscal years 2023–2024) by roll call and approved utility permit UE2025-12 for Interstate Power and Light to replace a pole on the south side of a road. No formal vote on the Eldora Children’s Center loan request occurred at the meeting.
Next steps: county staff was asked to follow up with the presenters and to determine whether the funding request will be placed on a future agenda. The board adjourned at the end of the session.
