Downtown & Community
DODGER STADIUM
‘Our town’s future’
By ERIC PRATT epratt@messengernews.net
The first major renova-
tion project in Dodger Stadium’s 86-year history is now a few months from completion.
Fort Dodge Community School District Superintendent Josh Porter exudes optimism as he tours the new layout anchoring the southwest corner of the iconic facility. The locker rooms, concession stand, restrooms, training and coaching offices and storage areas are being rebuilt, along with the addition of better parking options, safety improvements and a grand entrance to introduce it all.
There are still concepts to be imagined as local workers drum away on the interior details and put the finishing touches on the outside components. Soon, though, local athletes, coaches and fans will witness the transformation first-hand rather than through an artist’s rendering.
“We’re really looking forward to the day we can officially cut the ribbon, so to speak, and let the community see this vision become a reality,” Porter said. “We’re very proud of the work being done here, and that goes for reasons beyond just the visual aspects and modern functionality of it all.”
What Porter refers to is two-
This is about our town’s future.
fold: the focus on upgrades benefiting the entire community, and the local businesses that have joined forces to get the job done.
“Dodger Stadium and Fort Dodge go hand-in-hand,” Porter said. “As I’ve indicated before, this is a project targeted to improve our entire community. All sports and activities, all users and all ages, whether you’re a Dodger, a St. Edmond Gael or an Iowa Central Triton.
“We wanted the job done right, with personal touches to match those beliefs,” he said. “And that’s where the local businesses come into play. We thought it was super important that people with strong community ties were directly involved, and we all got on the same page. The communication has been strong and consistent throughout the process.”
The $4.865 million over-
haul, which spans 8,616 square feet of space, is still on track to be finished by May of this year. Kolacia Construction of Fort Dodge continues to spearhead the project.
“I honestly think this may be the most well-organized and well-coordinated job I’ve ever been a part of,” said Project Superintendent Craig Kolacia, himself a long-time Fort
“This is a project targeted to improve our entire community. All sports and activities, all users and all ages, whether you’re a Dodger, a St. Edmond Gael or an Iowa Central Triton. This is about our town’s future.”
— Josh Porter, Superintendent
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
FORT DODGE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Meeting community needs
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
The Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way continue to work to meet local needs.
The United Way strives to meet the soaring demand from families pushed into poverty by rising inflation.
“Our No. 1 priority and our focus is on helping families that are impoverished,” said Randy Kuhlman, the chief executive officer of the Community Foundation and United Way.
The foundation manages 155 funds that provide money to support all kinds of different needs and priorities throughout the community.
Perhaps the most visible project that the foundation has supported was the transformation last year of the Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge on First Avenue South.
United Way
Kuhlman said over the past two years the United Way has been helping families that were devastated by the spike in inflation.
He said during that time period, the price of groceries went up 22 percent. He added that evictions from apartments and rental homes went up 70 percent.
“Our main focus is working with families with children,” Kuhlman said.
Most of the families the United Way works with are single-parent families headed by the mother, he added.
The United Way’s caseload quadrupled in 2024. Kuhlman said two to four calls for help are received a day.
“Many of the stories are heartbreaking,” he said.
The United Way can pro-
vide help with paying for water bills, food, or short-term shelter. But it also can connect people who need help with all kinds of other agencies that assist with things like finding a job.
“We’re not here just to give out handouts,” Kuhlman said.
“Our No. 1 priority and our focus is on helping families that are impoverished.”
— Randy Kuhlman Chief executive officer, Community Foundation and United way
“We’re here to stabilize families.” Its Wheels for Work program conducted with Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota provides donated vehicles to families with children who need a reliable vehicle. Bridging the Gap is a Unit-
ed Way program that can provide essential furniture to families in poverty. It started as a way to get beds to children who were sleeping on the floor. It has since grown to offer other kinds of furniture.
Kuhlman said 80 to 90 beds are distributed each year.
“We’ve had great support from the community on that one,” he said.
Community Foundation
The foundation has about $23.4 million under management across the 155 funds it oversees.
Kuhlman said he continues to encourage people to establish funds as a way to support projects and causes that are important to them. The foundation does what Kuhlman calls “the back office work” to manage the funds.
One of the funds it oversees is for the bridge named after Habhab, an Army veteran of World War II who was mayor of Fort Dodge, a district court judge and ultimately chief judge of the Iowa Court of Appeals.
The bridge project so far includes markers attached to the lamp posts that are folded American flags and emblems of the branches of the United States military. Future plans include decorative lighting and a plaza on the bridge’s east side.
About $250,000 has been raised for the bridge project so far, according to Kuhlman.
The foundation also sponsors the Safe Communities Coalition, a crime prevention initiative.
Last year, the coalition partnered with the Webster County Sheriff’s Office to obtain a federal grant. That grant helped pay for two things. One was for software that law enforcement officers can use to access seized cell phones after obtaining a search warrant. The rest of the money will be used to found the outreach and education efforts of the Safe Communities Coalition.
TROILYNN WICKED, of Fort Dodge, displays the keys to her Ford Taurus as she gets behind the wheel for the first time in May 2024. The car was given to her through Wheels To Work, a program of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way in partnership with Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota.
A legacy of service
Fort Dodge community gathers to
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
John Bruner had a long record of service to Fort Dodge in general and the local Catholic community in particular.
Now, anyone who takes a moment to rest and contemplate on the Holy Trinity Catholic Church property can do so outdoors on a bench that bears his name.
About 30 people came together on a November afternoon at the church on Sixth Avenue North to dedicate that bench to a man who was repeatedly described as a role model and true friend.
Bruner died July 15, 2022, at age 78.
He was a basketball coach, dean of students and vice principal at St. Edmond High School. Then he became principal of Sacred Heart Junior High School.
Then he changed careers and worked for Union Trust and Savings Bank and finally, Central Financial Group.
His list of community involvement includes:
Various roles in Holy Trinity Parish.
Co-chair with his wife, Connie, of the annual St. Edmond ball.
Member of Knights of Columbus.
Charter member of Webster County Crime Stoppers.
Charter member of the Foster Grandparents board.
Member of the Fort Dodge Civil Service Commission.
Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Member of Trinity Regional Medical Center Foundation Board.
remember and honor
John Bruner
“I look at John as someone I admire.”
— Dave Flattery
Fort Dodge city councilman
Member of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way board.
“I look at John as someone I admire,” Fort Dodge City Councilman Dave Flattery said during a brief event to dedicate the bench that bears Bruner’s name. He recalled his first encounter with Bruner nearly 50 years ago when he was the coach of his older brother’s basketball team. Flattery remembered how Bruner with his “big voice” commanded the respect of his players.
Dave Bradley, a leader of Webster County Crime Stoppers, reminded the group of Bruner’s key role in getting the group started.
Randy Kuhlman, who worked with Bruner at both UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center and the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way, described him as “a tremendous board member” to whom he could always turn to for advice.
MONSIGNOR KEVIN MCCOY, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, uses holy water to bless the bench dedicated to the late John Bruner in November 2024. During his lifetime, Bruner was very involved in the community.
ABOUT 30 PEOPLE gathered at Holy Trinity Parish in November 2024 for an event to dedicate a bench to the late John Bruner.
John Bruner
Commitment to excellence
Marian Home remains focused on delivering to Fort Dodge, community
By DANA BECKER
dbecker@messengernews.net
The Marian Home and Village has been a staple in the Fort Dodge community since 1960 when it was established in downtown Fort Dodge and then moved to the current location, opening in May of 1976.
Over the past 12 months, though, they have taken a new approach to helping with providing senior living facilities.
Thanks to the purchase of the former Villa Cottages on the site of Villa Care Center in 2023, Marian Home and Village officials have been working hard to get the area up to the standards they have set for Assisted and Independent Living.
“The biggest addition to the Marian Home community in the last year is adding assisted living to the care that we provide,” said executive director Tracy Trotter. “The Marian Home has not had this level of care to offer to the Fort Dodge and surrounding community.
“For years, our intent — and still is — is to construct an independent living/assisted living on the block north of the Marian Home.”
Through purchases of all the homes currently on the block over the past few years, they have been able to continue plans to develop the area in the future. The opportunity to secure the Villa Cottages, though, was something that they could not pass up.
“That has been our focus in the last year,” Trotter said. “We have totally remodeled and redesigned the facility.”
A total of 12 apartments with a total occupancy of 22 will be completed by March, with the possibility of additional assisted living apartments to be added at a later date. Applications for occupancy are currently being accepted.
“As part of our commitment to providing the highest quality
of care and support for our residents and tenants, this new addition will enhance our offerings and ensure that all levels of senior living needs are met with-
Since 1949
in our community,” Trotter said.
“At the Marian Home, we understand that every person has unique needs and preferences. That is why we offer a compre-
hensive array of living options designed to support independent and assisted living and skilled care levels.
“The new assisted living fa-
“The
biggest addition to the Marian Home community in the last year is adding assisted living to the care that we provide.”
— Tracy Trotter Executive director Marian Home
cility will provide personalized care and support for tenants who may require help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and medication management. Our compassionate staff will be available 24/7 to ensure that residents receive the care they need, allowing them to thrive in a supportive environment.”
Once this part of the expansion is completed, the now-vacant area just north of the Marian Home will be used to build independent-living townhomes.
“We are working on putting a plan together to develop that piece of the Marian Home community,” Trotter said. “We want to begin that as soon as possible.”
For more information or to apply for the new housing, contact Trotter at (515) 574-5900 or ttrotter@marianhome.com.
Sales • SERVICE • Rentals
THIS IS A RENDERING of the Marian Home's assisted living facility at 925 Martin Luther King Drive.
-Messenger photos by Britt Kudla
THE MARIAN HOME AND VILLAGE has been completely remodeled and redesigned. The chapel is pictured above, while below is a sitting area.
•
New Fort Dodge park welcomes skateboards, scooters, bikes Ready to roll
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
The new hot spot in Fort Dodge for skateboarders and kids on scooters is an assembly of concrete and steel just yards away from the Des Moines River.
And while it’s called a skate park, this new addition to the local recreation scene isn’t limited to those on skateboards and rollerskates. Scooters, bicycles and anything else that has wheels but no engine is welcome, too.
“Everyone’s enjoying it,” Jason Drew said as he watched kids in the park on a warm August afternoon. “Families are enjoying it. It’s just fun to see kids enjoy it.”
Drew is a skateboarder who was a member of the design team that recommended the features to be included in the new park.
Those features include quarter pipes, flat rails, an A-frame and a horseshoe bowl.
The new park is located at the north end of the former Sunkissed Meadows Golf Course, which is now a disc golf course. It is near a parking lot and a trail kiosk that includes a marker honoring former U.S. Rep. Tom Latham.
It is about three times bigger than the city’s Dean Hearn Skateboard Park, which is
KIDS ON SCOOTERS AND BICYCLES enjoy some time at the new skate park in Fort Dodge last August. The park debuted last summer and is open to skateboards, rollerskates, scooters and bikes.
tucked just below and to the west of the North Seventh Street Bridge. That older park will remain open.
The Dean Hearn park opened in the late 1990s. It was championed by the family of Dr. Kevin Schminke. The family convinced city officials to ap-
prove the park and then led the effort to raise the money to pay for building it.
After that park had been in use for about 10 years, some skaters started approaching the City Council and city staffers, asking about the possibility of getting a bigger and better park.
Most recently, City Council members Cameron Nelson and Lydia Schuur were contacted by avid skaters interested in a new park. Those council members added the new skate park concept to the city’s list of capital improvement projects.
“This has been brewing for
awhile,” said Lori Branderhorst, the city’s recreation director.
The City Council hired Snyder & Associates, of Ankeny, in January 2023 to serve as the project manager at a cost of $70,000.
According to Branderhorst, there were two design meetings at which local skaters provided all the input on proposed features for the park.
“This was their brain child, not mine,” she said.
Spohn Ranch Skateparks, of Los Angeles, California, was hired by the City Council in July 2023 to build the park at a cost of $547,827. The city used $500,000 of its federal COVID relief money to cover most of that cost, with the rest coming from a general obligation bond issue.
Branderhorst said the site was picked because it tied in with the disc golf course, nearby trails and other riverfront improvements, including the recently completed Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center.
“We thought it was a perfect area down here,” she said. “This just seemed logical to put this piece in.”
She said a second phase of work at the park will include installing lighting, a drinking fountain and a bathroom building.
OWEN MIKESELL, 11, of Fort Dodge, tries his bicycle on a sidewall of the horseshoe bowl feature at the new skate park in Fort Dodge last summer. Jason Drew, of Fort Dodge, offers some advice. Drew was a member of the team that designed the park, which is open to skateboards, roller skates, scooters and bikes.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GREATER FORT DODGE GROWTH ALLIANCE,
the
Bark Park debuts in FD
Downtown site is going to the dogs
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
Dogs and their people now have a grassy place to play in downtown Fort Dodge.
Called the Bark Park, it is located at First Avenue South and 12th Street. Two big metal sculptures of dogs made by Fort Dodge Senior High School students mark the spot.
The park resulted from a partnership between Main Street Fort Dodge, Nestle Purina PetCare and industrial technology students at Senior High.
“At Purina, we believe people and pets are better together, and providing the Bark Park to the Fort Dodge community where our factory and associates call home was the perfect opportunity,” said Trever Morgan, the manager of the Nestle Purina PetCare plant in Fort Dodge.
“It is an honor to sponsor the Bark Park, but even more so to partner with Main Street Fort Dodge and Fort Dodge Senior High School industrial tech students to make it come to life,” he added.
Students in the welding fabrication classes made the two dog sculptures, two metal benches and two receptacles for dog waste. Students in the masonry and concrete classes poured the slabs of concrete that the sculptures and benches sit on.
“The industrial tech program is focused on hands-on experiences and helping students gain occupational skills,” Morgan said. “It was rewarding to work with the students on this project and provide experiences they can take with them into their careers.”
Dogs must be kept on a leash within the park, and their owners must pick up
“At Purina, we believe people and pets are better together, and providing the Bark Park to the Fort Dodge community where our factory and associates call home was the perfect opportunity.”
— Trever Morgan Manager, Nestle Purina PetCare plant in Fort Dodge
after them. The concept of a dog park at that site was publicly introduced in January 2022. Early in the planning process, it was proposed to call the site the Barking Lot.
-Submitted photos
Nestle Purina PetCare, Main Street Fort Dodge and the city government came together to
formally open
Bark Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 11, 2024. BELOW: This metal sculpture is one of two decorating the Bark Park at 12th Street and First
Avenue South. Both sculptures were made by Fort Dodge Senior High School students in the welding fabrication classes. The concrete bases the sculptures rest on were made by students in Fort Dodge Senior High’s masonry and concrete classes.
DODGER STADIUM
Dodge resident. “There are a lot of very good people on site who have put their heart and soul into making sure this is done right.
“We’re very lucky,” he added. “Every single contractor has done what they’re supposed to do. There have been very few hiccups. The architect (ISG, Inc. from Mankato, Minnesota) has been outstanding to work for and, of course, the Fort Dodge Community School District as well. I think it’s a testament to our businesses here … you aren’t going to just go ‘all local’ for the sake of doing it. When you know the job is going to get done and you can trust the work they do, it’s the best of both worlds.”
Baker Electric, Flooring America, Fort Dodge Asphalt, Hawkeye Masonry, Midstate Plumbing and Heating, Midwest Fence and Gate, Rasch Construction, Stone Creek Landscaping, Cemstone Concrete, Custom Builders Cabinet Shop and Central States Roofing have all been directly involved in the year-long process, along with Denison Drywall.
“It’s been a combination of outstanding work and terrific weather,” the district’s Director of Buildings and Grounds Ryan Utley said. “We’ve built and established strong relationships with these local businesses, which not only take a great deal of pride in what they do, but it’s helped us keep the project running at an affordable cost and even under budget to a certain extent.”
In addition to the new locker rooms, restrooms and a large pavilion area, there will be designated offices for both trainers and officials. A fe-
male-only locker room, an expanded concessions area with state-of-the-art heating and cooling, modern fiber lines, upgraded and additional lighting, encompassing cameras and an enhanced security system are all included in the package. The scoreboard will also be expanded on the
north side of the football field, with nine new panels being added to increase the size.
The district is using funds from the physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL), as well as revenue accrued from the state sales tax, to complete the project — the first of its kind since Dodger Stadi-
um opened its doors in 1939.
A grand opening will be scheduled for and announced this spring.
“We fully understand the importance of successfully completing a highly visible project like this in the heart of our community,” Porter said. “So many of us have a profession-
al and, more importantly, a personal stake in how this turns out. We’re really looking forward to unveiling this to the partners of our community, because I think it will serve its purpose as both a functional and visible addition to a nostalgic landmark that we all respect and admire.”
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
by May.
-Messenger photos by Britt Kudla
Progress
Downtown & Community
Ready to celebrate
By CHRIS JOHNSON cjohnson@messengernews.net
Friendship Haven underwent some changes this past year, and with those new additions and efforts, they enter 2025 ready to celebrate.
Friendship Haven has been in existence for 75 years in the community, providing service for residents.
“We are excited to extend a warm invitation for you to join us at our 75th anniversary celebration, June 25 through June 29,” said President and CEO of Friendship Haven Julie Thorson. “For 75 years, we have been blessed to serve our residents and the community, creating a legacy of care, compassion and connection.
“The week will be filled with meaningful events honoring our past, celebrating our present and looking ahead to our bright future.”
The week-long celebration will begin with a dedication ceremony and press conference of the restored and permanently displayed “Chapel on the Hill Bell” outside the Welcome Center.
“This historic artifact will serve as a lasting symbol of our mission and a tribute to our founder, Rev. Dr. Tompkins,” Thorson said.
There will also be a family picnic and fun zone with an afternoon/evening of celebration and fun dedicated to the residents, staff and their families.
On Friday of the week, there will be a fundraiser.
“An evening under the stars will feature The Dueling Pianos of Andy and Mike, desserts, and camaraderie,” Thorson said.
“Funds raised will benefit the Good Samaritan Fund, ensuring that Friendship Haven remains a place of hope for those in need.”
The week of celebration for 75 years of existence will end with a special worship service.
“Closing the week, a special worship service will reflect on our journey and seek blessings for the future,” Thorson said. “Participants will gather for coffee and rolls following the service.”
To begin the new year, Friendship Haven welcomed Wandering Wellness to campus. Elisa (Elly) Bohn and Wandering Wellness will be located in the massage room in the Wellness area on campus.
Friendship Haven will also celebrate two longtime employees. Mary Jean Ulrich, who works in laundry and is the housekeeping supervisor and Steve Ehrhardt of Life Enrichment, have been in employment with Friendship Haven for 50 years each.
With big plans ahead for 2025, the past year brought excitement and activities for the residents.
Friendship Haven has built a bond with Cooper Elementary School, something the residents and
students have enjoyed.
“One thing that has been very exciting on our campus is our intergenerational programming,” Thorson said. “Our residents have an awesome relationship with the fourth-grade students at Cooper Elementary. We go to Cooper, and they come here to share in activities, learning and have developed a great connection.
“Our times together are spent reading, doing crafts, a little dancing, and a lot of smiling. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to grow relationships that reach across generations.”
Returning to campus was the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
“We were excited to welcome back the Walk to End Alzheimer’s to our campus,” Thorson said. “In September, part of the walk went through Friendship Haven campus, down to the hospital and back.”
Friendship Haven underwent some leadership changes in 2024.
“After serving Friendship Haven as board chair for four years, Tim Burns stepped down as chair and
Matt Johnson assumed the board chair responsibility,” Thorson said. “After seven years, Kelly Hindman stepped down as our director of campus support services and Mitch McCarville assumed this
ABOVE: Through Friendship Haven's
programming, residents have built a bond with Cooper Elementary School students. They may spend time reading, doing crafts, or even dancing together.
LEFT: Matt Johnson, the new Friendship Haven board chair, works with a Cooper Elementary fourth-grade student as part of Friendship Haven's intergenerational programming.
key leadership position.”
Friendship Haven announced a refocused effort to offer Catered Living in 2024.
“Our River Ridge apartments offer an exciting living opportunity for se-
niors to live independently with support when, and if, they ever need it,” Thorson said. “River Ridge is a very social apartment living neighborhood connected to our beautiful campus.”
“For
— Julie Thorson President, CEO
They also reinstated their commitment to Parkinson’s Disease.
“Friendship Haven has a commitment to serving all people impacted by Parkinson’s Disease,” Thorson said. “In addition to our award-winning Rock Steady Boxing program, we are now home to a Parkinson’s Support Group held regularly in the Schmoker Center on the Friendship Haven campus.
“A Journey Through Parkinson’s Disease classes were also held Fridays in April. These hour-long sessions focused on the causes, symptoms, and treatments of the disease.” Friendship Haven launched a new, user-friendly website https:// www.friendshiphaven. org/. In addition to the updated website, Friendship Haven now has a calendar to highlight special events.
Reinventing the riverfront
River’s Edge Discovery Center named for Matt Cosgrove, county conservation director
By KELLI BLOOMQUIST
editor@messengernews.net
Dozens of businesses, individuals, partnerships, and entities throughout north central Iowa made the new River’s Edge Discovery Center possible, but none more than Webster County Conservation Director Matt Cosgrove.
At the July ribbon cutting for the discovery center, former Webster County Supervisor Mark Campbell and current Supervisor Niki Conrad honored Cosgrove by surprising him and attendees with the announcement that the environmental education facility would now be named the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center.
“When considering the impact the River’s Edge Discovery Center will have, and the impact that Matt has already made on this community, the decision to name this center the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center was simple,” said the Webster County Board of Supervisors in a statement.
“By doing so, we not only recognize the power of Iowa’s waters, but also the dedication and positive lasting legacy of Matt Cosgrove.”
Cosgrove, who has served as director of Webster County Conservation for more than 28 years, had no idea that the center would bear his name. According to Campbell and Conrad, a dozen individuals within the community have been helping with the secret naming project while keeping it under wraps for the surprise.
“We’d like to recognize how much Matt does for our community and county,” said Campbell. “From all that he’s done at Kennedy Park to the OHV Park to Camp Wanoki and back again to the beautiful new trails at Kennedy, Matt has done so much for Webster County. This has been a dream project for him and we are so honored that it will bear his name.”
According to Cosgrove, the facility along the banks of the Des Moines River was funded through grants and fundraising, and has been nearly three decades in the making as discussions about an educational facility began when he
started with the county.
“It’s interesting to see this whole thing come together and really surreal,” said Cosgrove at the ribbon cutting. “I really want to say thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project. If I were to read the names, we’d be here until it got dark because you can imagine with a project of this size and scale, it’s way beyond even the people that you see here today.”
The project moved from idea to reality in 2017 when the conservation department did a parks, facilities, and recreation master plan and looked at aging infrastructure and trends and recognized the need and
-Photos by Julie Vinsand, The Gowrie News
ABOVE: Matt Cosgrove stands next to the design of a sign that will bear his name at the River’s Edge Discovery Center in Fort Dodge in July. He was surprised with the announcement the center would be named after him at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
LEFT: The Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center in Fort Dodge opened to the public in July.
-Photo by Julie Vinsand, The Gowrie News
THE RIVER’S EDGE DISCOVERY CENTER SIGN, which was soon to bear Webster County Conservation Director Matt Cosgrove’s name, was on display in July in Fort Dodge.
-Photo by Julie Vinsand, The Gowrie News
AN OTTER DISPLAY is shown inside the new Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center in Fort Dodge.
MATT COSGROVE RIVER'S EDGE DISCOVERY CENTER
opportunities ahead.
Cosgrove said the new discovery center will be a hub for conservation, recreation, and education. As the discovery center has taken shape, Cosgrove said he didn’t add to his staff, but instead everyone has excitedly chipped in to help to launch the new facility.
“Our conservation staff is tremendous,” said Cosgrove. “They’re taking care of 30 miles of trails, 60 miles of OHV, 2,000 acres of parks and wildlife, and helping with this. The staff has really done an awesome job.”
The Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center, includes interactive exhibits and interpretive panels that educate visitors on a number of water-related topics including climate, clouds, watersheds, water quality, wetlands, glaciers, and more.
An interactive exhibit allows children to visually see and climb around in a display that explains where water goes when it seeps into the soil. Another large exhibit nearby teaches about the water cycle and rain, while near the entrance to the center is an augmented reality sandbox that explains Iowa’s terrain.
“We spent over two years working on the exhibits and the interpretive plan on what story we’d like to tell,” said Cosgrove. “Obviously since we’re by the river, it makes sense to talk about our water and our water resources, whether it be too high or too low.”
Also inside the discovery center is a toddler play space, a 500-gallon aquarium featuring a variety of species from Iowa’s rivers, and a live salamander for kids to see.
Murals cover many of the walls, including a pollinator
mural in the center’s education classroom that features butterflies and native plants. The mural was designed and painted by art students at Iowa Central Community College and Fort Dodge Senior High School.
“There’s too many people to
name who have played a role in this project,” said Cosgrove.
“So many people have donated money, donated time, donated items that you will see inside.”
The opening of the discovery center is the close of phase 1 of the center’s plan. Phase 2
will begin soon and will include a natural playscape heading toward Soldier Creek and will be wrapped around the trails and include interactive and interpretive signage that provides historical information about Fort Dodge and the region.
“When considering the impact the River’s Edge Discovery Center will have, and the impact that Matt has already made on this community, the decision to name this center the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center was simple. By doing so, we not only recognize the power of Iowa’s waters, but also the dedication and positive lasting legacy of Matt Cosgrove.”
— Webster County Board of Supervisors
River Continued from Page 2E
-Photo by Julie Vinsand, The Gowrie News
A FULL WALL MURAL inside the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center brightens up this area of the center, which opened in July.
-Photo by Julie Vinsand, The Gowrie News
the new Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center in Fort Dodge.
Promoting community
Kuiper: Recent growth makes Fort Dodge more inviting to event planners
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
The staff of Visit Fort Dodge knows all about the cool things to see and do locally. Their mission is to make sure the rest of the state and nation know about them, too.
Sports and the outdoors are key features that draw people to Fort Dodge and Webster County, according to Kerrie Kuiper, the executive director of Visit Fort Dodge.
“There’s very few places where you can do as many things outdoors as you can here,” she said.
Dolliver Memorial State Park, Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, Gypsum City OHV Park and the growing trail network offer visitors the chance to get outside in Webster County.
Fort Dodge has long been building a reputation as a go-to spot for amateur sports.
That status was again recognized by the state government in September. For the third year in a row, the Iowa Tourism Office named Visit Fort Dodge as a Regional Sports Authority District. Along with that designation, Visit Fort Dodge received a $70,000 grant to support sporting events that bring people into the city.
That money will support 18 events, which Kuiper said will “bring revenue to our local businesses and increase statewide awareness of our area.”
“This awareness of the Fort Dodge community is a vital opportunity which could lead to more business growth and future tourism opportunities,” she said.
The $70,000 can be used to pay for venue rentals, equipment rentals, hiring referees or other officials, or any other service needed to host a sporting event.
According to Kuiper, one of the bigger and newer events attracting people to Fort Dodge is the Iron Sharpens Iron Team Wrestling Camp. It was held for the second time last year. Participation about doubled, with 1,400 people going to Iowa Central Community College for the camp.
In 2024, Fort Dodge was also the site of three major gatherings that had not been held locally before. Those events were the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association’s fall workshop (110 attendees),
“There's very few places where you can do as many things outdoors as you can here.”
— Kerrie Kuiper, executive director, Visit Fort Dodge
a convention of Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (175 attendees) and an Iowa
Corrections Fall Conference (162 attendees).
“It’s kind of nice that we’re getting in some newer types,”
Kuiper said. “I always like seeing newer ones popping in there.” She added that the members
of those organizations “truly host the events.”
“We help them make it happen,” she said. Visit Fort Dodge is working to attain an International Inbound Travel Association Stamp of Approval and inclusion within Travel Iowa’s international promotions.
“This is very exciting because much of the international market are currently traveling through Iowa, but not stopping,” Kuiper said. “So Travel Iowa is working to help them recognize the amazing places in Iowa and plan stops for them.”
Starting next month and continuing through May, Visit Fort Dodge will be conducting a significant campaign to promote local attractions like Soldier Creek Winery, Fort Frenzy and the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.
Visit Fort Dodge will also go on the road to give the community a presence at the Iowa Bike Expo and the Omaha International Boat and Travel Show in Nebraska.
Kuiper said the recent growth and development in Fort Dodge makes the community more inviting to event planners.
“We’re really excited about all the investments being made,” she said. “Those are going to allow us to handle bigger events that we can invite more people into the community for.”
-Submitted photo
KERRIE KUIPER, executive director of Visit Fort Dodge, was a presenter at the Midwest Travel Network Conference in Shipshewana, Indiana, in June of 2024. THE HARLAN AND HAZEL ROGERS SPORTS COMPLEX GROUNDS CREW works
ready for the 2024 Iowa Girls High School State Softball Tournament. The annual tournament is a big draw for visitors to the city in the summer.
For the children
State awards $600,000 grant for FD childcare center
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
A recently awarded $600,000 state grant will make it possible for the creation of the Sprouts Early Education and Development School in Fort Dodge to begin this year.
The money from the Iowa Economic Development Authority is part of the financing package that will pay for renovating the former Becker Florist building on Kenyon Road into a childcare and education facility.
“It certainly is a big boost,” said Elizabeth Stanek, the executive director of Linking Families and Communities.
Linking Families and Communities is the organization developing the center to help meet a need for childcare in the area.
Stanek said the Sprouts center will provide early education to young children at a crucial time in their lives when their brains are developing.
“We need to do it right,” she said.
The Sprouts school will accept children between the ages of 6
weeks old and 12 years old. It will have a capacity of 103 students, and is expected to be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Linking Families and Communities purchased the building at 407 Kenyon Road in January 2024 from Kenyon Road Baptist Church.
PRESERVE FORT DODGE
The Fort Dodge City Council gave the project a $750,000 loan from the local government’s economic development revolving loan fund. Nestle Purina PetCare gave a $25,000 grant to support the project. The state grant was awarded in October.
With that money committed, Linking Families and Communities can “kick start the bidding process,” Stanek said. She said the tentative schedule is to begin building renovations in March and open in March 2026.
Linking Families and
Saving Sacred Heart
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
It is hard to miss the tall steeple of the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which towers over the eastern edge of downtown Fort Dodge. But the last Mass was celebrated there in 2019. The building’s interior is mostly empty. Some of its components were removed and incorporated into the new Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Sixth Avenue North. Preservation-minded groups and individuals are striving to find a new use for the 102-year-old church at 211 S. 13th St. They scored a success recently when the Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded a roughly $17,000 grant that will help to pay for hiring an architect to prepare a report outlining what must be done to preserve the building.
“Receiving this grant is just the next step to
Communities is seeking financial support from the community for the Sprouts Early Education and Development School. Anyone interested in contributing may contact Stanek at 515-955-5437 or estanek@ linking-families.com.
Nearly $17,000 grant boosts preservation effort
Carissa Harvey
making the dream of Sacred Heart becoming a viable building a reality,” said Carissa Harvey, the president of Preserve Fort Dodge.
The state agency awarded a $16,573 grant to the Historic Preservation Commission. Local matching funds of $11,069 are needed. The total cost of hiring someone to produce a historic structure report is estimated at $27,642.
The completed report will: Provide documentary, graphic and physical information on the building and its history. Prioritize needed improvements. Estimate costs of working on the building. Identify potential
sources of money for the project.
According to Harvey, the finished report will be a “very important tool” when applying for grants to help pay for the restoration.
RDG, an architectural firm from Des Moines, was hired to prepare the report.
Preserve Fort Dodge and the architectural firm held a public meeting in December to get ideas from the public on potential future uses for the old church. Submitted ideas included event space, arts and culture facility, restaurant/bar, catering kitchen, nonprofit support site, retreat space and wedding venue.
Although the grant was awarded to the Historic Preservation Commission, the building is owned by Holy Trinity Catholic Parish.
A new nonprofit, Preserve Fort Dodge, is leading the effort to raise
money for the restoration of the church. A Sacred Heart Preservation Fund has been established with the Fort Dodge Community Foundation.
Harvey said the redevelopment of Sacred Heart will be a multi-year project.
When actual work begins, the first step will be addressing immediate needs to prevent the building from deteriorating, she said.
The church has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, a move which may open some more funding opportunities for the project.
While Sacred Heart Church is its focus now, Preserve Fort Dodge plans to turn its attention to additional buildings in the future.
“We have big hopes for restoring other buildings as well,” said Tracy Crimmins, a member of the organization.
THIS IMAGE SHOWS what the front entrance of the former Becker Florist shop at 407 Kenyon Road will look like after it has been renovated to become the Sprouts Early Education and Development School. The school may open in March 2026.
Elizabeth Stanek
Four buildings get facade upgrades, one demolished Downtown facelift
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
Construction workers were busy on and around a handful of downtown Fort Dodge buildings last summer and fall.
The result is that some historic structures have a fresh new look. But one building that was a fixture in downtown for more than a century had to be torn down.
Those projects are all part of the same effort, which is being paid for in part with a $500,000 state grant.
“The goal is to basically bring back the facades of the downtown,” said Terry Allers, the principal architect and owner of Allers Associates Architects, of Fort Dodge. That firm designed all the facade restorations being completed in this project.
The work was to be done on eight storefronts on five buildings, according to Cole Benton, an associate architect and project coordinator for the firm.
All five buildings are in the downtown Fort Dodge historic district, which means there are certain regulations the project must comply with.
Allers said the architects looked at lots of old photos of the buildings as they designed the project.
Here is a summary of the work:
700—702 Central Ave.
This building sits on the northeast side of the intersection of Central Avenue and Seventh Street. The Card Collective Hobby Shop is on the first floor and there are apartments on the second floor.
“This one is a real challenge,” Benton said.
The challenge, he said, is that the facade is made of sandstone, which is crumbling in multiple spots. Some of that sandstone will be replaced with new material, he said. When the sandstone repair and replacement is done, the building will be repainted.
New glass will be installed in the storefront windows on Central Avenue. New windows will be installed on the second floor on both the Central Avenue and Seventh Street sides.
The building was constructed in 1880.
710 Central Ave.
This building was the home of The Hayloft for many years.
The plan called for removing all the wood
SCAFFOLDING IS SET UP on the west side of the building at 700 Central Ave. in 2023. Workers have been repairing the sandstone facade and will be installing new windows there. When the sandstone repair and replacement is done, the building will be repainted.
from the first floor of the front of the building, and installing new windows. Stucco was to be removed from the side of the building that faces an alley that was converted to a pedestrian walkway.
On the ground right outside the front door were ceramic tiles that spell “Cigars,” a likely indication that the building, constructed in 1880, was once a cigar store.
However, when crews began to work on the building, some serious structural problems were uncovered. Eventually, it was determined that there was no economical way to fix those problems. As a result, the building was demolished last fall.
801 Central Ave.
This is the seven-story Snell Building at the corner of Central Avenue and Eighth Street. The facade project will only address the first level of the building.
The steel canopy on the building’s front will be removed. One vertical column on the Central Avenue side will be restored. New storefront windows will be installed and new windows will be placed on the Eighth Street side in spots that were previously window frames but have been bricked up.
The Snell Building was constructed in 1915,
during a downtown building boom.
911 Central Ave.
This building was the home of Olson Jewelers for many years. It is now the Fort Dodge office of Ankeny-based Snyder & Associates, an engineering firm. The metal has been removed from the front
of the building, and the brickwork was repaired.
814 First Ave. S.
The wood has been removed from the front of this building, constructed in 1896. New windows and canopies will be installed. When all work is done, this building will have a distinctive two-tone color scheme on its facade.
Shyft Collective, of Des Moines, is the general contractor. It has a $771,817 contract.
In October 2021, a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant was awarded to the city government and Main Street Fort Dodge for this effort. The city government is contributing $250,000. Property owners participating in the project will collectively contribute another $250,000.
A previous $500,000 Community Development Block Grant awarded in about 2019 helped pay for a facade improvement project on the east end of downtown.
In Henderson’s honor
Kennedy Park pavilion to be named for Rev. Al Henderson
By BILL SHEA
bshea@messengernews.net
During his years as a pastor and chaplain to local firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel, the Rev. Al Henderson made an unforgettable impact.
Serving Our Servants, the group he started to support those first responders, is now working on a project that will honor his memory and provide a venue for people to enjoy some time outdoors at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.
A picnic pavilion bearing his name and the insignia of local public safety departments is planned for a spot near the park’s campground. TJ Pingel, the leader of Serving Our Servants, said he hopes the pavilion will be up in time for the group’s annual Pay It Forward Friday event in October.
Henderson was the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. He was also the chaplain to the Fort Dodge police and fire departments, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office and District 7 of the Iowa State Patrol.
He was murdered Oct. 2, 2019, on the church grounds.
Pay It Forward Friday was conceived by Serving Our Servants as a way to honor Henderson by fostering random acts of kindness throughout the community.
The group members also
wanted a permanent, physical memorial to Henderson. They first talked to city leaders about doing something at Expo Park on North Seventh Street. Then they
DOWNTOWN PAVILION
turned their attention to John F. Kennedy Memorial Park north of the city. The Henderson family enjoyed spending time there. “It just seemed like something
-Submitted images
ABOVE: A picnic pavilion bearing the name of Rev. Al Henderson and the insignia of local public safety departments is planned for a spot near the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park campground.
LEFT: This rendering shows the design of the proposed pavilion at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park
was calling us out there,” Pingel said.
The initial plan was to have a bench and trees dedicated to Henderson. As Webster County Conservation Director Matt
“It just seemed like something was calling us out there.”
— TJ Pingel, Leader of Serving Our Servants on the selection of the pavilion site
Cosgrove showed SOS members some sites around the park, an area near the campground caught their attention. Pingel described it as a “gorgeous spot.”
Because there is no place for anyone to sit down nearby, the concept of a bench surrounded by trees evolved into a pavilion.
“It just kind of all clicked,” Pingel said. “It just felt right.” The proposed pavilion measures 16-by-24 feet. Pingel said SOS is seeking about $20,000 in donations to help pay for it.
Preparing the community's front porch
— Matt Cosgrove Webster County conservation director -Submitted
State grant awarded for pavilion, riverfront park
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
A new outdoor gathering spot would be created along the riverfront in downtown Fort Dodge with the support of a $400,000 state grant awarded in April.
The new pavilion will be at the west end of Central Avenue near the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center.
The grant will also help to pay for some trail loops, native plantings and a restroom building.
“Fort Dodge was a community that was founded on its river,” said Matt Cosgrove, director of Webster County Conservation. “This is a return to the river.”
“People just like to spend time near the water,” he added.
He said the project is an investment in recruiting and retaining workers in the area.
The Enhance Iowa Board awarded the Community Attraction and Tourism grant to Fort Dodge and Webster County.
“Fort Dodge was a community that was founded on its river. This is a return to the river.”
The money is earmarked for the riverfront between Soldier Creek and the Karl King Bridge. That’s an area which the city’s Central River District plan described as the community’s front porch.
The proposed pavilion will be a very large version of the picnic shelters found in many
parks. It would be capable of seating 200 people. It is envisioned as a place for festivals and other special community events. It could also be rented for private events. Cosgrove said it will be the first thing people will see as they come down the hill on Central Avenue toward the Des Moines River. A restroom building, swings and native plantings will be nearby. Walking paths will be created throughout the area. Construction is planned for this year, according to Cosgrove.
Rev. Al Henderson
By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net
Ever since it was built, the span that carries First Avenue South over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks has been known as Veterans Bridge.
Last year, a group of veterans joined forces with the Fort Dodge city government to take that designation to a higher level.
The result is the renamed Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge, with new gateway markers and medallions on lamp posts in the form of folded American flags and emblems of all the branches of the United States military. The bridge was dedicated on Veterans Day 2024.
During the dedication ceremony, Mayor Matt Bemrich described the bridge as “a beacon of unity and unwavering gratitude.”
But the updates that people are seeing on the bridge now are just the beginning. Some red, white and blue lighting will be added yet this spring. Eventually, a plaza will be created on the east side of the bridge.
The bridge is named after an Army veteran of World War II who served as Fort Dodge mayor, a district court judge, Iowa Court of Appeals judge and finally chief judge of the Court of Appeals. He died in January 2024 at age 98.
Tom Dorsey, the adjutant of American Legion Post 130 in Fort Dodge, said fellow veteran Sam Hartman had pestered him for awhile about doing something to make Veterans Bridge a site that would really recognize and honor veterans. Dorsey finally brought the subject up at an American Legion meeting, and those in attendance were enthusiastic about the idea.
The next step was to approach the city. The timing turned out to be perfect, because a massive repair project had just been completed on the bridge. City officials were receptive.
Veterans, city staffers
and the engineering firm of Shive-Hattery, of West Des Moines, worked to craft a plan.
Mike Larson, a Navy veteran and a leader of the effort, said the goal was to “do something to make the bridge pop and stand out as a veterans bridge.”
The entire project is being paid for with donations, not tax dollars. The estimated cost is $1.5 million.
“The community’s been incredible,” Larson said. “This is just a wonderful community.”
In the first phase of the project, illuminated steel banners were placed on the bridge’s lamp posts. Some of those banners are in the form of folded American flags. The others are the insignias of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard.
The bridge project was the first one outside of the military to be granted permission to use the insignia of the Space Force, which is the newest branch of the armed forces, according to Larson.
Monument signs were also placed at each end of the bridge. One of those signs at its west end displays the bridge’s name. The name will be added to a sign at the east end this year. The project’s next phase
will result in red, white and blue lighting being added to all 15 lamp posts on the bridge.
“Every pole will be red, white and blue,” Larson said. “You’ll be able to see that bridge for a long ways away.”
Originally, the proposal was to put lighting along the rails of the bridge. Larson said that idea was dropped due to the potential for damage due to snow removal operations and vandalism.
Weather permitting, the lights will be up by the end of March.
