(Okoboji)– Progress continues on the new lodge an open-air shelter at Kenue Park in Okoboji. Kiley Roth, Community Relations Coordinator for the Dickinson County Conservation Board, says crews have been able to make good progress on the project over the summer…
“Ground broke on the new lodge in Kenue Park in July. Construction with Poppema Sikma has actually moved really quickly, so it’s looking great. They have the walls up, the roof up, have it papered on the outside, so it’s starting to look like a real building here in the park and we’re excited about that.”
Roth says the new facility is being built at the site of the former county home building, which was demolished last year…
“This is approximately a 6,000 square foot lodge and outdoor shelter that faces east so it faces the Dickinson County Nature Center. It will have an open air area. Inside the lodge will be a small kitchen and restroom so it will be available for rent for parties. The main room will seat up to about 175 people. And then outside there will also be a covered shelter that will seat about 60. Both the lodge and outdoor shelter will be able to rent together or singularly through the Conservation Board, and then when not rented the open shelter will just be available for public use in the park. So if you’re playing on the playscape and want to stop and have a picnic or if you’re out bird watching or using the disc golf course and want a place to rest it’s going to be a really great amenity to have in the park.”
Roth says they’ve already been getting inquiries from people interested in renting out the space…
“So rates have not been set for this building yet and there is no opening date that has been finalized quite yet, so if people are looking to, you know, do this for future reservations we’re not taking them quite yet, but just keep up with all our construction process and we’ll let people know as soon as we’re at that point, dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com.”
The project was funded through a private donor.
