Summer fun focus of forum

By DUANE NOLLEN
The Oskaloosa Herald

OSKALOOSA May 19, 2008 11:15 am

— There’s no excuse for kids to sit in front of the TV or a computer screen this summer as there is a wide range of recreational activities for them to enjoy in Oskaloosa.
Recreation was the theme of the first Community Forum — the successor to the legislative Eggs & Issues forum — held at Smokey Row Saturday morning.
Oskaloosa features a variety of facilities for outdoor and indoor recreation. The Lacey Sports Complex is the newest and most visible facility. This summer, it plays host to baseball and soccer. The Mahaska County Conservation Board manages sites such as the Russell Wildlife Area and Eveland Access. The Oskaloosa Public Library has a summer reading program. The George Daily Auditorium has a summer camp for kids. Also, the Oskaloosa Chamber and Main Street have many community activities slated for this summer.
The Mahaska Community Recreation Foundation was formed in the 1990s to help facilitate recreation activities in the community.
“We needed something within in the Mahaska community to take the lead for recreation,” MCRF President Joe Crookham said.
Crookham said a funding source was needed to attract a professional to come to the community to help develop recreational opportunities. The Hotel/Motel tax was selected as the funding source after consultation with local hotel operators. They would support its use as long as the tax money was used specifically for recreational activities, thus the MCRF was formed, he said.
The Hotel/Motel Tax provides about $80,000 annually to pay for a recreational professional, Crookham said.
Sherry Vavra of the MCRF gave a brief overview of the Lacey Complex, located behind the Oskaloosa Elementary School.
“The Lacey Complex is really buzzing right now,” she said.
Little League uses the Lacey Complex Monday through Friday. Soccer clubs also use the complex during the week and have games there on Fridays and Saturdays. The YMCA also uses the complex for T-ball, and later, football.
The complex also features a large parking lot and a concession stand area.
John White of the Mahaska County Conservation Board gave a description of the MCCB’s recreational facilities.
Eveland Access has a camp ground and a new camping area under development, two cabins, a sand volleyball court, as well as boating access to the Des Moines River.
The MCCB is developing “Touch Tables” to display wildlife items for kids and to provide storage cabinets, thanks to a memorial for Morgan Malloy, he said.
Recently, the MCCB received land for Caldwell Park — the future site of a new MCCB nature center.
“It’s something we’re really excited about,” White said. The price tag for the center may reach $2 million, he added.
Caldwell Park also will feature wetlands, a savannah, picnic areas and trails, he said.
Chamber and Main Street Director Jon Sullivan gave a preview of upcoming community attractions.
The Oskaloosa city band performs on Thursdays at 8 p.m. during June, July and August. There also will be entertainment prior to the band’s performance from 7:15 to 8 p.m., he said.
June 12 will be a celebration of a new program — The Skunk River Arts Festival. At 7 p.m., there will be dueling pianos performing on the square. Then, at 7:45 p.m., Main Street Iowa representatives will honor Oskaloosa with a designation of the city as a cultural and entertainment district. Then the band plays at 8, he said.
On Friday, June 13, Friday After Five begins.
Then, on Saturday, June 14, the 40th annual Art on the Square will be held on the city square. There are more than 62 artists registered for the event, some coming as far away as Texas, Sullivan said.
Also, the Sweetcorn Serenade will be held on the last Friday of July, Sullivan said.
In closing remarks, Crookham encouraged adults to mentor children to get them involved in activities.
“There are many youth who don’t get involved in recreational activities,” he said.
There are so many organizations such as the MCCB, Izaak Walton League, soccer clubs and Little League, just to name a few, that kids can get involved with, Crookham said.
“We are trying to reach out and reach those children,” Vavra added.
Sullivan also mentioned that the YMCA has several summer programs for children and adults.
Vicki Wright, of George Daily Auditorium, said that the auditorium has a new summer camp director, Nick Garcia, from Iowa City, who will run the summer camp at the auditorium from mid-June to mid-August.
Sullivan gave the schedule for upcoming Community Forums this summer, that will be held on the third Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. at Smokey Row.
The June 21 forum will deal with the Iowa Building, street work and the new trolley place. The July 19 forum will feature streetscape and water department issues. On Aug. 16, education will be the topic with issues ranging from pre-school to college.
Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com