(Spirit Lake)– A group looking to raise $240,000 by next summer to build a complex of four pickle ball courts at Spier Park in Okoboji made a pitch today to the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors for some financial assistance.
Terry Kunkel of Orleans, a representative of the group, says they’re looking for support from governmental entities as they plan to apply for a Community Attraction and Tourism Grant through the state…
“We have over $100,000 raised in pledges and donations and in-kind at this point. We’re wanting to apply for a state of Iowa Community And Tourism grant. That requires both a financial commitment from the city and the county so we were approaching the county to see if we can get that commitment from them for some financial assistance.”
Kunkel added they continue to work closely with the city of Okoboji on the proposed project…
“The city of Okoboji has provided the space at Spier Park which is a great place. It already has parking and it has restrooms, shelter house facilities, so we don’t have to provide any of those sorts of things. Also they’re providing the space. They’re also providing the cost of the $20,000 for the design fee and they’ve also agreed they will assume perpetual maintenance of the courts once they’re built.”
The group is requesting $25,000 from the county. The supervisors took no action on it today, saying they’ll take it up during upcoming budget talks.
