Leaders praise new state resort park at Rathbun

Wed October 04 2006
Posted Oct 4, 2006
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PERRY BEEMAN REGISTER STAFF WRITER October 3, 2006 Moravia, Ia. — Dennis and Marilyn Cline beamed as they watched the future unfold at the site of Honey Creek Resort State Park today. They came to the shore of Rathbun Lake — west of this southern Iowa community — to celebrate a milestone development in the life of a manmade lake they've enjoyed for 30 years. Now, they were listening to Gov. Tom Vilsack laud the sense of "community" that landed Iowa its first resort park. They were hearing about a lodge, cabins, trails, a prairie-lined 18-hole golf course, an aquatic center and all kinds of stuff the place doesn't have now. When the $48 million Honey Creek Resort State Park opens in spring 2008, their playland will be different -- in a good way. They can't wait. The Clines played this situation perfectly. They lived in Iowa City for years, but made regular trips back to Rathbun. They bought a few lots years ago, during some of the early talk of a resort that, at that time, fizzled. They sold those lots in the past few years for good money and bought a home overlooking the lake. They moved in a few months ago. As the sun skimmed the wakes of a pontoon boat and fishing boat plying Rathbun on a gloriously warm, fall-color day, the Clines counted their blessings this morning. They, and hundreds of other longtime local residents at the groundbreaking, could feel a new day in an area that is low on population but very big on beauty. "We've been sailing here for 30 years," said Dennis Cline, who is thinking of coming out of retirement to work at the resort park. "Our kids grew up on this lake," added Marilyn. "It's a nice community." Said Dennis: "It's going to be a wonderful opportunity for camping and hiking, sailing and golf, even though I don't golf. A lot of people don't come down this far south in Iowa" — but they should, he added. Brenda Newman sells real-estate in the area, which she's called home all her life. She's taken inquiries from all over the state, and then some. Many lake-area property owners are making their move now that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has sealed the deal for Honey Creek resort, which is across the water from the existing Honey Creek State Park. "Things are selling," Newman said. "People feel like now's the time." What a deal it is. The department, with huge assists from state lawmakers, breathed life into a project that was near death more than once. The department chose a team of experienced developers led by Sioux Falls-based Regency Hotel Management, Inc. Regency brought in construction and design firm TSP, Inc. Iowa State University engineers are involved, too, along with top-notch golf-course designers. Local utilities are donating services and more, and local businesses are helping raise money for the construction under the long-formed Rathbun Lake Resort, Inc. organization. Besides private money, the project will be backed by bonds to be repaid by resort income, an arrangement lawmakers approved to keep the project rolling. Indian Hills Community College plans a Rural Entrepreneurship and Leadership Institute at the park. Cindy and Jim Burnside have lived in the area since before the dam was built to create Rathbun, a popular fishing and boating lake that also is a regional water supply. They were there to watch President Richard Nixon dedicate the lake. They were there, decades ago, when talk of a resort started, grew, then failed. Tuesday, the Burnsides, who operate Buck Creek Cabins nearby, were under a tent near where Honey Creek's 105-room lodge will rise, enjoying the governor's kind words and trying not to pinch themselves too hard. "This is a wonderful event for southern Iowa," Cindy Burnside said. "We need a shot in the arm. So many times, we thought it would happen, and it didn't. On the ride down here, we realized this is for real." Local leaders praised Vilsack for renewing support for the concept and Jeff Vonk, resources department director, for helping DNR staffer Arnie Sohn and so many others make it happen. Vilsack praised Jeff Lamberti, who supported the project as Senate co-leader, and the local delegation for key support. Congressman Jim Leach took in the view after years of supporting work in the area. Bill Duey of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rathbun staff, got plenty of accolades, too. Des Goyal of the Army's Kansas City staff, said Duey and others locally have given Iowa a chance to become a true vacation destination. "As you know, Iowa is known for corn and pigs," Goyal said, evoking laughter. "Now, Iowa will become famous and outstanding as a tourist destination." Vonk said Honey Creek won the resort-park competition over Brushy Creek near Fort Dodge because of the huge turnout of supporters in the Albia-Centerville-Moravia area. "You folks stepped up with your enthusiasm and your support," Vonk said. David Sweet, chairman of Regency Hotel Management, said simply: "This is spectacular." Vilsack, echoing a common theme of his speeches leading up to a possible presidential bid, talked of community. "It really is a special day today," Vilsack said. "It's a day in which we celebrate the power and hope of community."