Official Ceremony to Launch New Resort State Park

MORAVIA - Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack will be on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of Phase I construction at Honey Creek Resort State Park, near Moravia, at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 3.

Arnie Sohn, Honey Creek Resort State Park project manager with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the first phase includes a 105 room lodge with an indoor water park, meeting facilities and a restaurant, 28 cabins of various sizes, an 18 hole golf course, boat ramps and slips, and an RV park.

Work is planned this fall on the golf course, utilities and access roads. The Iowa DNR will have an erosion control plan in place and will monitor runoff before, during and after construction. With Lake Rathbun as the focal point, Sohn said the goal is to keep all runoff out of the lake.

"There are a lot of partners who are deeply invested and working to make this project successful," said Sohn. "With a project of this size and scope in southern Iowa, it holds the promise for economic enhancement for the surrounding area."

The park site is 5.5 miles west of Moravia, and is located on 850 acres near the existing Honey Creek State Park. Phase 2 of the project, would include connecting the two parks with multipurpose trails and a pedestrian bridge over the Honey Creek arm of Lake Rathbun.

The principle financing source for the project is $28 million in bond proceeds that will be paid off over a 30-year period with revenues generated by the resort. Rathbun Regional Water, Chariton Valley Electrical Cooperative and Iowa Telecom will contribute more than $2 million in utility systems. Appanoose and Monroe counties, Rathbun Lake Resort, Inc. and private contributors have provided more than $2 million in cash advances to be repaid from hotel/motel tax receipts.

An extensive private fundraising campaign to raise at least $2 million will begin soon. These funds will be used to provide a variety of recreational facilities in the park.

The engineering, design and construction management will be handled by TSP Engineering. Regency Hotel Management will be running the resort.

Officials with the Iowa DNR, Army Corps of Engineers, local governments, elected officials, developers, architects, and other partners will be on hand for the ceremony.

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