North Liberty maps out $17.7 million Centennial Park improvements

The city of North Liberty discussed enhancements they hope to make to the Centennial Park entertainment complex project during a work session Aug. 23. The plan calls for the addition of a 10,000-square-foot Centennial Center designed to accommodate a 300-person event, a $1.5 million open-air pavilion, a 5000-square-foot splashpad area, an honor garden and shelter and 89 total parking spaces. City Administrator Ryan Heiar highlighted the economic benefits the refined plan would have on North Liberty.

"The plan is unique not only to the Corridor but to the region," he said. "We think it will be a draw to the community, not only for tourism but also future growth. You've heard me say multiple times quality of life equals economic development. We think this project will be another tool in the tool bag as we recruit and retain employers and employees." North Liberty will turn its attention to securing grant funding. If successful, the preliminary schedule shows a bid phase could take place October 2023 with construction occurring from December 2023 to May 2025. In total, the additions would cost approximately $17.7 million. The north side of the park would be where core programming takes place, whereas the south side is more for casual recreation, according to the Shive-Hattery architects in attendance Aug. 23. A new Centennial Center would include a catering kitchen and bar area, green room spaces, office space and a large exterior stage on the south end of the building. An open air pavilion would sit between the west parking lot and the Centennial Center. The space could hold events ranging from a beer garden to a winter ice skating rink.

"The primary point was we needed a space to serve our own activities but use in conjunction with the Centennial Center to help with vendors during larger events," said Natalie Oppedal, architect for Shive-Hattery. The honor garden would serve as a space to pay respect to active and fallen veterans. The area can also act a meditation garden. North Liberty's Centennial Park master plan was first created in 2012. 10 years later, the updated enhancements are meant to align with the original intent as a space for all ages for "play, gathering and respite with an underlying theme of water quality and nature," according to the agenda documents. North Liberty purchased the land in 2010 for around $20,000 per acre. There have been four phases of implementation since then that have included a new retention pond, parking and driveway area, loop trail, a playground rock wall, and most recently, the completion of a loop road and sidewalk connections to surrounding neighborhoods. In July, the Centennial Park hosted North Liberty Blues & BBQ, a live music event. Lessons learned from these kind of events inspired the concept plan, said Ms. Oppedal. The city will hear bids for the construction of a two-story, 10,700-square-foot city hall building on Aug. 30.