Decorah Council Approves Athletic Complex Contract, Assess Risks of Funding Shortfall

Quality journalism needs your support to thrive. Donate and keep the facts flowing. DECORAH — The Decorah City Council moved forward Monday with plans for a new athletic complex that has drawn broad community support but also stirred questions about costs, floodplain construction and the role of taxpayers in financing amenities. After a lengthy discussion, the council approved the site plan for the Decorah Athletic Complex, voted to award a construction contract to Skyline Construction Inc., and authorized city staff to seek up to $500,000 in state tourism grants. The council also advanced a zoning code amendment allowing gravel parking lots in the floodplain, a change sought to reduce costs for the complex's design. The votes keep the long-planned project on track for 2026 construction, with two 280-foot ball diamonds, eight pickleball courts, fencing, landscaping and a large stormwater basin along with three approved alternates. Floods Set Backdrop for Gravel Discussion The evening began with a public hearing on a code amendment that would allow the Board of Adjustment to issue special exceptions for gravel parking lots in the F-1 floodplain district. Current code requires paving for new parking lots, but city staff said gravel could cut costs while reducing stormwater runoff compared with asphalt. Council Member Emily Neal noted the timing. "Here we are, having a flood, and so what allows me to feel comfortable voting yes on this is the fact that it is more permeable than an asphalt parking lot. If we were actually following our original code, and it had to be asphalt, it would be less permeable than what we're intending to do. Just wanted to make that clear given where we are sitting today." The council unanimously approved the first reading. Final passage requires two additional readings and five affirmative votes because the Planning and Zoning Commission did not officially recommend the change. Site Plan Contingent on Permits The site plan for the athletic complex also hinged on floodplain rules. City Engineer John Hjelle identified several omissions, including zoning labels, lot dimensions, a stormwater management plan and a floodplain development permit, and warned that gravel parking would be noncompliant without the new ordinance: Facility name sign is not included in the plans. Make sure all easements are included in the site plan. Present zoning not listed on the plans. Lot dimensions and total area are not shown. Owner to confirm water and sewer services with Public Works Department. Future restroom and concessions building, parking lot, sidewalk and contract alternates of extra diamond(s) and batting cages are not detailed in plans, but may be conditionally approved. Repeat of 2. No ADA-compliant pedestrian route connects the proposed facility with the Freeport Trail. Plans include gravel for access road and parking lot (currently against code, but proposed change has public hearing set for P&Z and council). Improvement within the F-1 zoning district and will need a floodplain development permit. Stormwater management plan needs to be submitted to city engineer. Staff recommended approval contingent on items 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11. Council members debated whether it was premature to approve a site plan before knowing how parking would be resolved. Ultimately, they voted to approve the plan with contingencies attached. Awarding the Contract: Optimism vs. Caution The heart of the meeting centered on whether to award the construction contract and how many project alternates to fund. Skyline Construction, based in Decorah, submitted the low bid of $2.14 million for the base project, 21% below the engineer's estimate. Adding all eight alternates, including additional fields, batting cages and upgrades, would bring the total to $2.89 million, still below estimates. Fundraising committee member Harlan Satrom told the council the community was rallying around the project. He announced a pledge of $150,000 from Keith Bruening of Bruening Rock Products, conditioned on all eight alternates being included. "There are significant people out there who have not pledged yet," Satrom added, noting that banks and other potential donors had planned September board votes. "We're extremely optimistic … I would encourage you to think about approving the bid and all eight alternates and accept their donations." But several council members voiced hesitation. "We are a government. We don't get to take giant risks with taxpayer money," Neal said, citing other looming expenses, including a new fire station, library repairs and street projects. Others said they were comfortable adding only the three Park Board-approved alternates — a third field, sod for the field and one batting cage — despite a fundraising shortfall of about $275,000. Council Member Randy Schissel noted that full commitment could inspire donors, recalling how the Trout Run Trail was completed only after the community rallied behind it. "Once we committed to that, even though we didn't have all the funds in hand, the donors said 'hey, they're committed to this,' and the donations came in. By the time we ordered that last segment over Highway 9 and got that bridge done, it was paid for." Neal voiced support for the potential of getting all eight proposed alternates finished but urged a slower approach. "Alternates one through eight can happen. People can continue to give after we fund one through three tonight, or whatever we choose to fund, and if people keep giving and we get all the money, we will have all eight. I just don't see tying our hands to something that we can't commit to having funds to as a city." Council Member Steve Zittergruen pointed to community engagement and excitement he has seen surrounding the project. "I agree that momentum is still building. A lot of potential individual donors haven't been approached," he continued. "I'm not sure the wisest course for the city of Decorah is for the alternates or 'show some faith in the fundraising that's coming in,' because I don't want to award all the alternates without a pretty strong belief that we're gonna fundraise the money. I don't wanna have to go looking in the city funds for that extra money. It just can't happen. We don't have the extra money to do that." In the end, the council voted to award the contract for the base project plus three alternates. Five alternates were deferred, with members saying they could be pursued later through additional fundraising or grants. CAT Grant Application The council also authorized staff to apply for up to $500,000 through Iowa's Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) program, which supports recreational and cultural projects that draw visitors. Staff said the grant could help cover additional fields or batting cages if awarded. The program requires at least 65% of project costs secured before applying and no more than half funded by state sources. Decorah has already committed more than $2.7 million from land sales, hotel-motel tax revenues and a water quality grant, while private fundraising has reached about $841,000. The construction start goal is summer 2026, once permits are finalized. Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.