Despite wet weather conditions this spring and summer, the Department of Natural Resources and Central Group Companies, the resort’s management company, are looking forward to opening Honey Creek Resort State Park the second weekend in September.

The time frame is a few weeks later than the anticipated mid-August opening.

“While Mother Nature hasn’t been kind to our construction schedule, we are excited about the progress and look forward to an early fall opening,” said DNR Deputy Director Liz Christiansen.

One consequence of the later opening date is the move of one of the resort’s first events to an alternate location. Pheasants Forever has relocated its Forever Outdoors fall event, scheduled for Sept. 6 and 7, from Honey Creek to Living History Farms in Urbandale. The event is expected to draw 2,500 participants interested in upland game hunting and habitat development. For updated information regarding this event, visit www.iowapheasantsforever.org.

“Because the resort will just be opening its doors, as partners we all agreed the event should move to a different location,” said Jeremie Slagle, general manager of Honey Creek Resort State Park. “We look forward to working with Pheasants Forever and other organizations on future major events.”

“Honey Creek Resort will be the perfect location for many types of festivals, group gatherings and events, and we can’t wait to showcase our professional catering, meeting planning and guest services,” added Slagle.

Construction of the resort continues at a rapid pace. According to Christiansen, carpeting and fixtures will be installed in the next month, and work is now starting on installation of major mechanical systems. The indoor aquatic center is close to completion, and roads and trails are continuing to be paved throughout the park. Additionally, the 18-hole golf course is being meticulously groomed for opening day, and the club house is being fitted with fixtures for a snack bar and pro shop.

“We are very excited about the beautiful natural features throughout the park, and the 18-hole golf course exemplifies that,” said Christiansen.

Christiansen emphasizes the resort is still a construction site and visitors need to wait until opening day to get a peek at the park.

“Our number one concern is people’s safety, both visitors and construction workers,” said Christiansen. “There’s a lot of heavy equipment and vehicles moving about the property and people really do need to stay off the resort complex until it is safe.”

Meanwhile, the management team for the resort has been hired, including the sales, catering, and administrative teams. According to Slagle, those teams are now working to aggressively hire and train their guest service staffs, and are expected to have as many as 130 employees during peak seasons.

“Our team couldn’t be more excited for our doors to open,” said Slagle. “Visitors are going to really enjoy the Honey Creek Resort State Park experience, and we are anxious for September and our guests to arrive.”

About Honey Creek Resort State Park

Located on Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Honey Creek Resort is just 20 minutes north of Centerville, 35 minutes southwest of Ottumwa and 95 miles southeast of Des Moines. Visitors can get there by taking Highway 5 to Moravia and turning west on County Road J18.

Honey Creek Resort State Park offers 105 guest rooms and suites, a 6,500 sq. ft. convention center, 18-hole championship golf course, 15,000 sq. ft. indoor water park, dining, RV Park and a variety of exciting outdoor adventures with interpretive programs and activities. Twenty-eight guest cabins will be open in spring 2009.