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Board approves $1,000 to help Pearson Lakes Arts Center pursue Treehouse Masters project
Summary
The Dickinson County Board unanimously approved a $1,000 commitment to help the Pearson Lakes Arts Center apply for an Iowa CAT grant to build an accessible educational treehouse designed with Treehouse Masters; proponents said it will support arts education, accessibility and tourism in the Lakes region.
Bob Kirschbaum, director of the Pearson Lakes Art Center, presented a model of a proposed accessible 'treehouse studio' built in collaboration with Treehouse Masters and asked the board for support to strengthen a grant application. "It's a picture's worth 1,000 words," Kirschbaum said, bringing a replica to illustrate classroom space, accessibility ramps and an ability to host 20 people for classes.
Kirschbaum said the project was designed to be handicap-accessible and free to visitors; he described plans for arts education, culinary demonstrations, artist residencies and connections to existing nature-center attractions. He said one major donor has committed funds and the county's support would help the center qualify for state grant programs and further private fundraising.
Supervisors asked about timeline and local contractor involvement; Kirschbaum said Treehouse Masters would prefabricate much of the structure off-site and local contractors would do on-site assembly, with work proposed to begin in 2027 and a 2–3 month assembly window once on-site.
Supervisor (identified in the transcript as speaker 5) moved to provide $1,000 to the Lakes Arts Center to support an Iowa CAT (Cultural/Arts Tourism) grant application; the motion was seconded and approved on a roll-call vote: Kim, Clark, Levi, Dillard and Bill each voted "Aye." After the vote, Kirschbaum thanked the board for its support and emphasized the project’s accessibility and expected tourism draw.
Why it matters: Supporters said the treehouse would expand free family-friendly cultural offerings in the Okoboji area and help attract weekday visitors during off-peak seasons, providing economic benefits to restaurants and hotels while adding educational programming.
Next steps: With the county commitment recorded, the art center will proceed with grant applications and stakeholder outreach; construction remains contingent on grant awards and donor follow-through.
