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Sigourney council backs exploration of countywide recreation center, eyes IEDA BOOST grant
Summary
Council agreed to pursue an IEDA BOOST pilot grant to fund a feasibility study and facilitated planning for a possible countywide recreation/community center; the $10,000 grant requires a 2:1 local match and community leadership commitment.
Council members voted Aug. 7 to proceed with investigation of a possible recreational or community center and to pursue an IEDA BOOST pilot grant to fund a feasibility and visioning process. Council member McLaughlin reported contact with an IEDA representative who described the BOOST program as a $10,000 pilot grant requiring a 2:1 match and offering facilitated consulting and visioning if awarded.
The council discussed that the project is intended to be countywide in scope, not limited to the city of Sigourney, and that a coalition of committed community leaders would be needed to make a competitive application. Proposed uses for a community center included an indoor gym, elevated track, weight and aerobics rooms, drop-in day care, conference/meeting space with kitchen, and year-round recreational and health programming.
Council member Conrad and others stressed that grant providers want evidence of local priorities and readiness; a workshop or steering group could strengthen grant applications and later funding requests. Council voted to proceed with investigation and the application (motion by Clark, second Lentz); the vote was unanimous.
If funded, the BOOST grant would pay for consultants to lead community visioning and a feasibility assessment. Councilors said the next steps include identifying local match sources, naming community representatives for the proposal, and meeting application deadlines at the end of August.
