The new pavilion will be at the west end of Central Avenue near the almost completed 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.

-Submitted image
This rendering shows a large pavilion that is planned for the riverfront at the west end of Central Avenue in downtown Fort Dodge. It could be used for community celebrations or private events. A state board awarded a $400,000 state grant Thursday to help pay for it.

He said the project is an investment in recruiting and retaining workers in the area.

The Enhance Iowa Board on Thursday awarded the Community Attraction and Tourism grant to Fort Dodge and Webster County.

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.

Some earthmoving for the pavilion will be done this year with construction planned for 2025, according to Cosgrove.