Ogden council votes to submit state grant letter of intent for $1.8 million recreation complex

Brenda presented a plan for a proposed Ogden Recreation Complex and asked the council to authorize submission of a letter of intent to the Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) program.

She said the revised architect and engineer estimate for the project is about $1.8 million and described the project as two new fields, parking, a playground and a community garden. "I believe that we could request the most we can ask the state of Iowa for is 20% of the project," Brenda said, and indicated the city's likely CAT request would be "right around $350,000." She also outlined current local commitments: $350,000 set aside by the city for next year, $90,000 in the Coons fund and about $16,000 in other donations.

Brenda told councilors that most of the local fundraising should be done before an application is finalized and that the grant, if awarded, could arrive over multiple years. She said staff would meet with local banks to discuss financing to cover pledge-related interest and noted bidding cannot proceed until an award is in hand.

A council member moved to submit a letter of intent conditional on meeting the fundraising threshold; another council member seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.

The next steps are a short notice-of-intent submission naming the project and contact, confirmation of the fundraising threshold, and then waiting for the state’s allocation decision. Officials said they expected to submit the notice of intent next week and to keep project team members (Lori and Emily) apprised of developments.