The Southeast Iowa JBS sports center, with a donation budget of $1 million, is set to start development. Representatives of the donors who contributed financially to the project were present at the event, signaling the commencement of construction.
(Photo : Pixabay/Tania Van den Berghen)
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Construction of JBS Sports Center
On Monday, Mar. 19, community leaders and supporters gathered to commemorate the official groundbreaking for the Southeast Iowa Sports Center. This ambitious undertaking will bring about a paradigm shift in the region's athletic environment. The groundbreaking took place at Sycamore Park, located on the project site.
At the event, representatives from critical financial backers of the project, such as JBS, the Ottumwa Legacy Foundation, Wapello County, and the City of Ottumwa, showed up to deliver statements regarding their dedication to the Sports Center Project. After it is finished being constructed, the cutting-edge facility can accommodate birthday parties, conferences, and other events. It will also have three full-size basketball courts, four volleyball courts, a 9-by-9 turf soccer field, a softball and baseball infield, two batting cages, a turf football field, concessions, and offices.
Accordingly, Christner Contracting, Inc. will handle construction management for the project and use many local contractors. Construction is anticipated to be finished by the winter of 2024/2025. However, although construction has begun, efforts are still being made to gather money for the project's success.
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Budget of the Project
Even though funds have been in the Southeast Iowa Sports Commission's coffers for a considerable amount of time, Brian Morgan, chairman of the Southeast Iowa Sports Commission, stated that the project has involved a large number of individuals, both in the past and in the present, who have served in an elected position within the commission. Morgan pointed out that many individuals have contributed to our reach at this moment. With the assistance of the private sector, the municipality, the county, and the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation, a concerted effort has been made to achieve this goal in the name of progress.
In addition to the $1 million contributed by JBS, the facility has received substantial support from Destination Iowa, Legacy, the City of Ottumwa, Wapello County, and other contributors, totaling over $10 million. The establishment is anticipated to serve as a venue for youth tournaments encompassing various sports and events while also generating revenue for the community through sales tax and hotel/motel tax.
Moreover, the Ottumwa Community School District contributed $750,000 to the project, which will also use the facility as a training facility for its athletic teams during the offseason. Morgan says that the money spent on the project is less than 3%. Nevertheless, only four trees will be cut down, and the city, the county, and the school system will not be responsible for anything from this day forward.
Concrete, landscaping, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and electrical work will each receive approximately $7 million of the project's total budget of roughly $10 million. Thus, around $2.8 million will be spent on exterior construction, with approximately $1.2 million on turf, concession work, and kitchen equipment. According to the mayor of Ottumwa, Rick Johnson, this will be a significant development for the city in the coming years. Industries and enterprises that are evaluating community amenities seek out the following types of facilities.
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