Pomeroy is ready for its shelter
Town will dedicate new park structureBy EMILIE NELSON, Messenger staff writer
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Fact Box
If you go
What: Pomeroy shelter house dedication
When: 3:45 p.m. today
Where: Gordon Prange Memorial City Park
Cost: $5 for meal, no cover for band or dedication ceremony
POMEROY - For nearly five years the city of Pomeroy has been without a shelter in Gordon Prange Memorial City Park.
Following great demand from the community for a new facility, it became clear that the shelter was something the town couldn't do without. That demand, along with interest from the Pomeroy Men's Club, helped to spearhead communitywide fundraising efforts to make a new city park shelter a reality.
"The old shelter was torn down about five years ago," said Pomeroy City Clerk Sarah Burke. "People around town have wanted it back since."
Mark Passow, a member of the shelter house committee, said the former wood-pole shelter had deteriorated, resulting in its demolition in 2004.
"It was in pretty decrepit condition," he said. "It had definitely outlived its useful years."
After more than two years of fundraising, construction of the new 24-by-48 foot, $65,000 enclosed facility began in the spring of 2008, but uncooperative weather soon became a factor, delaying much of the construction until later that year.
"Construction was slated for spring of 2008, but the weather delayed most of that until fall," Passow said. "The concrete was done in the spring, then we waited to do the rest."
Passow said the new shelter was funded largely by money left to the city by a former resident to be used for a community project, a Calhoun County Community Development grant and private donations from Pomeroy residents.
In June, the Pomeroy Men's Club was also named the recipient of a $3,000 Project Mainstreet grant from Casey's General Stores and KCCI television. That money was used to fund the completion of handicap-accessible restrooms, picnic tables, benches and a children's table.
Building costs were also kept at a minimum by utilizing donated labor from community members and labor work by offenders from the North Central Correctional Facility in Rockwell City.
The new three-season facility also includes a utility room and showers to be used by campers at nearby campsites.
"The finish work on the building became a community project," said Passow. "And the community stood behind it."
To celebrate the completion of the new shelter, a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 3:45 p.m. today, followed by a picnic supper of bratwurst, beans, chips and drinks from 4 to 8 p.m. Cost for the meal is $5, with proceeds benefiting the shelter's completion costs.
At 8 p.m., the Jacob Lee Band will take the stage, performing blues music. There is no cover charge for the dance.
Contact Emilie Nelson at (515)573-2141 or enelson@messengernews.net
