Recreational complex will NOT be funded by the Great Places program

A proposal for a recreational facilities complex on Pole Line Road and Highway 52 has suffered a setback.

Iowa's Great Places Program has decided not to fund Decorah's request for a $250,000 grant to help pay for the costs of the project. The Great Places Program did award $25,000 to help build Norm Smith Plaza, the new pocket park planned along Water Street next to the Oneota Co-op, and $25,000 for proposed community signage, including a new welcome sign along U.S. Highway 52.

The lack of grant funding for the recreational complex makes the job of creating the facility more difficult.  Plans had called for the construction of softball fields and soccer fields at the property--a move that would allow one of the existing softball fields in downtown Decorah to be developed into a new park and a location for new tennis courts.  The Decorah school district would also be able to use another softball field fulltime.

The grant for the Norm Smith Plaza will allow that project to proceed quickly.  The Great Places Program gives priority to projects that are "shovel-ready," so work on the pocket park might still begin this year.

Meanwhile, plans for the community signage are somewhat less ready, but a committee has been working to draw up plans.