DM council expected to approve naming agreements for proposed rec center
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Kathy A. Bolten Feb 20, 2023 | 3:23 pm
2 min read time
434 wordsAll Latest News, Real Estate and DevelopmentA planned recreation center on Des Moines’ north side will be known as the Reichardt Community Recreation Center, under a naming agreement expected to be approved by the Des Moines City Council at its meeting today.
The two-story center is planned on the current site of the John R. Grubb Community YMCA at 1611 11th St. The center would include an NBA-sized basketball court, an elevated track, fitness space and community rooms. A new indoor swimming pool would also be built.
Green space around the outside of the building would include two full-sized basketball courts, an open-air shelter, handball courts, a playground and ball fields.
The project is estimated to cost $18 million. The city of Des Moines has allocated $12 million from the local sales service tax to pay for construction of the center, which is expected to open in 2026.
The first round of donations totals $3.57 million, including four naming agreements, according to a news release.
“This is a neighborhood that deserves a new facility and the investment from these donors shows that our community is stepping up and helping turn it into a reality,” Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page said in a prepared statement.
The donations and naming agreements include:
- $1.2 million from the Reichardt family. Bill Reichardt owned and operated Reichardt’s Clothing Store, which was located in the Roosevelt Shopping Center for over 40 years. Reichardt, who died in 2004, was an advocate for youth sports and founded the Little All-American Foot League and Des Moines Youth Soccer League, according to his obituary. The north-side center will be known as the Reichardt Community Recreation Center.
- $1 million from local philanthropists Patty and Jim Cownie. Jim Cownie is a developer and cable television entrepreneur. The center’s basketball court and gymnasium will be called the “Patty and Jim Cownie Family Courts and Gymnasium.”
- $250,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. A large community room at the center will be called the “Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Community Room.”
- $500,000 from the Ruan Foundation. The Ruan family has a long history of philanthropy in the Des Moines area. The family also operates several companies, including Ruan Transportation Management Systems. The elevated walking track will be called the “Ruan Foundation Track.”
- $500,000 – Catalyst Circle Grant.
- $100,000 – W.T. and Edna M Dahl Trust.
- $20,000 – Lohse Family Foundation.
The City Council is expected to approve the naming agreements at its meeting today at 5 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive.
Related story: Renderings released of proposed north-side rec center
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Kathy A. Bolten
Kathy A. Bolten is a senior staff writer at Business Record. She covers real estate and development, workforce development, education, banking and finance, and housing.