Sibley, Iowa — An idea for a new event center is being researched in Sibley.
Sibley City Administrator Glenn Anderson tells us what’s being discussed.
Anderson tells us why they feel a new venue is needed.
Plus, says Anderson, that venue is only usable in the summer. He says they also hold some things at the senior center, but he says that only holds 100 to 150 people. Anderson tells us what’s next for the committee and their efforts.
According to Anderson, there are other funding sources that the committee hopes to take advantage of.
Anderson says they also want to apply for an Enhance Iowa Community Attractions and Tourism — or CAT — Grant.
Sibley Chamber Director Ashley Ackerman is also involved in the effort. She says they think the whole project will cost between 2.5 and 3 million dollars. She says they hope to locate the facility in eastern Sibley, off of Eleventh Avenue, south of the swimming pool and playground, just north of the rec trail that was created from the old Rock Island Railroad track.
Peters says the facility would be owned by the city. She says if the effort continues, it will eventually be put to a vote of Sibley residents. According to Peters, right now the plan is for an aesthetically-pleasing metal building that would hold 350-400 people, with space for additional use. She tells us that if everything goes well, they hope to have it built within three to five years — putting completion somewhere between 2022 and 2024.
Anderson says the whole community can get behind this project.
He says when the new facility is in place, there will be several sizes of facilities in Sibley to fit any sized-group, any time.
