(Le Mars) — The city of Le Mars held an open house Thursday afternoon, allowing the public to see the improvements made to the Willow Creek Campgrounds Club House and Shower facilities. Mayor Dick Kirchoff informed the gathering the improvements made were from the Community Betterment 2 program. Kirchoff
says establishing “quality of life” projects helps everyone in a community.
Kirchoff says improving the campgrounds was a project identified back in 2011 and then again in 2014 through the Community Betterment 2 Program. Kirchoff mentioned the success of the Community Betterment Programs, and specifically with the example of the improvement of the Le Mars campgrounds, is derived from cooperation from both the public sector and the private sector.
The Le Mars Municipal park and campgrounds have been designated as an historic area and is listed with the National Registry of Historic Places.
Linda Mayrose serves on the Le Mars Historic Preservation Commission and thanked those who assisted with the preservation of the clubhouse.
City Administrator Scott Langel says the city went to great lengths to preserve and maintain the look from when the facility was originally constructed. He says a goal was to locate furnishings that would be consistent with the 1930’s era when the former ranger house, now clubhouse, was built.
Langel says the city went back to the original rock quarry to locate stones to be used for the improvement project.
The city administrator says the completion of the renovation of the campgrounds clubhouse and shower facilities involved many different companies, volunteers, and contractors.
The public had the opportunity to tour the newly renovated facilities. A lunch was served to the viewing public consisting of hot dogs and taverns, chips, ice cream, and beverages.
