There is no doubt that Clarion is a community on the rise, with revitalization at the forefront of many resident’s priority lists. A new project was presented on November 29 at the Red Shed event center to further the community-wide revitalization.
“We’re preparing to succeed with this”, stated Board Member Elizabeth Ennis when asked about the success of the project. The project? A state-of-the-art Recreational Center.
“The Rec: Clarion’s Rec Center” was unveiled to an excited crowd last Wednesday night. The project has been in the works since February of 2022, as stated by Board Member Andrew Odland during the event's opening. Board members took turns stating why they felt it was important that Clarion have a recreation center.
Such points were brought up by various board members regarding residents using out-of-town facilities, bringing people into our community not only to work but reside here, having more room for CGD and the city to have sporting events, and having an area to go to stay active during the winter months.
The rec center is planned to have two basketball courts, a 1-mile track, a turf area, weight, training, and cardio rooms, a meeting room, a commons area, a kitchen area with concessions and staff offices, restrooms, and two showers. The suggested square footage of the two-story building is 49,000.
The project is a private one, not affiliated with the school district or city. The suggested cost-saving location is by the high school on Willow Drive. This is to be able to utilize the parking area that is already established by the high school. Superintendent Joe Nelson spoke briefly in support of the rec center project, “I see this as a benefit for everyone!”
If this project is completed, the current city gym will be combined with the new recreation center. The equipment will be moved over to the new location, along with current memberships and employees. There is probability of new jobs being created.
“The plan is to follow the current Clarion Fitness Center’s membership structure, with yearly, monthly, and daily rates available. There will also be income-driven programs available,” as stated on the Rec Center’s website. Drop-in daily passes will be available, along with income-based programs to ensure availability to everyone.
Iowa Specialty Hospital is a partner in this project. There is hope that the hospital will be able to utilize this space for a “sports performance area”. This will keep people who are going out of town for these services to stay in our area, and draw others to our town.
It is estimated that the project will take about a year to two years to complete, in partnership with Peterson Construction. The total cost of the “The Rec” is 9 million dollars. The board has already gained 2 million dollars worth of pledges.
“The facility will be funded by a combination of private donations, corporate donations, and grants,” according to the informational handout given during the presentation last week.
By using financials from the current gym and estimates from rec centers from towns of similar size, the board is confident that once built the facility will sustain itself. Clarion’s proposed rec center would be operated independently as a 501C3, a public nonprofit. The building will not be owned by the city or by the school. Melinda Anderson stated it is more cost-effective to build the center as a nonprofit and to operate it independently.
Anderson stressed that the board responsible for planning the facility is dedicated to ensuring that this space is welcoming to everyone in the community. The addition of the turf area is to welcome and provide an area for popular sports, like soccer, within the Hispanic community.
In a brief phone interview with the Wright County Monitor, Anderson stated 65%, or more, of the funds need to be raised before groundbreaking will begin.
Donations in any amount are accepted and can be mailed to PO Box 261, Clarion, IA 50525. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information on how to get involved, visit The Rec’s website at clarionreccenter.org or email clarionreccenter@gmail.com.
The Rec Board! Left to right, front row: Andrew Odland, Brandon Cramer, Melinda Anderson, Amanda Severson, Abby Kirstein, Matt Odland.
Left to right, back row: Paul Hansch, Mike Ennis, Elizabeth Ennis, Dean Kirstein, Nick Barrett, Tony Miller, Tom Conlon.
Board members not photographed: Knute Severson, Katie Cramer
The Rec Center is planned to have two basketball courts, a 1-mile track, a turf area, weight, training, and cardio rooms and more! (Photo: Peterson Construction)
