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DNR to Hire a Company to Help Create, Operate Honey Creek Resort State Park

DES MOINES-The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking a private company to participate in the design of facilities, and in the bidding, construction and operation of those facilities at Iowa's first Resort State Park on the north shore of 11,000-acre Rathbun Lake, near Centerville.

Legislation creating a revenue bonding authority was passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed by Governor Tom Vilsack during the 2005 legislative session. The bond authority will allow the DNR to raise up to $28 million to build the resort style state park. Additional funding will be derived from Iowa's Park and Institutional Road Fund, Marine Fuel Tax Funds, state and federal appropriations, and a required $4.0 million from private sources.

"We have sent letters to companies across the country seeking their interest and qualifications to work with us to create and run a special resort state park found no where else in Iowa," said Arnie Sohn, Honey Creek Resort State Park project coordinator for the Iowa DNR. "We are open to considering additional private involvement in the building and operation of the courtesy boat docks, beach, RV campground and other features."

The resort state park plan calls for a 108-room lodge/conference facility, indoor aquatic center, restaurant, golf course, cabins, enclosed picnic shelters, boat ramp, beach and several miles of hiking and multipurpose trails. Potential partners can find more details on the Iowa DNR's website: www.iowadnr.com/parks/honeycreek/.

The resort park site is located on an 850-acre peninsula on the north shore of Rathbun Lake. Much of that 850 acres will remain in its natural state, providing opportunities for hiking, nature study and conservation education programs. A pedestrian trail bridge is planned for linking the existing Honey Creek State Park to the resort property.

Interested parties must respond by 4:30 PM, November 18. The DNR will notify potential partners by December 3 if they were selected for a formal proposal. The formal proposals from up to five selected firms will be due January 31, 2006.

"Our goal is to be in a position to hold a ground-breaking ceremony on one or more of the major facilities by next fall, with major construction beginning in spring 2007," Sohn said.

For more information, contact Sohn at 515-281-5814.

 

 

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