The Greater Ottumwa Park campground in Iowa, will be ready to welcome campers on April 1 with a brand new shower house facility, a project that took about two years to complete.
The new building is fully ADA-compliant and offers a much-needed upgrade from the old shower house, which was built in the mid-1960s and lacked appeal to campers.
City of Ottumwa Parks and Recreation Director Gene Rathje expressed his satisfaction with the project, stating that the new facility will set the stage for future projects to come in the park.
He also emphasized that the project was built without cutting corners, as they wanted to build a top-notch facility to attract and retain campers.
Funding for the project came from a variety of sources, including $50,000 in grant funding from the Wapello County Foundation and $30,000 from the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation’s Bright Ideas program, among other grants and the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The total cost of the project was approximately $650,000, including some change orders that increased the cost.
The new shower house features three showers for each gender and two toilets for each, providing a fresher look and more space for campers.
Additionally, the completion of the shower house project indirectly ties into a grant received by Wapello County to triple the number of camping spaces at Pioneer Ridge Nature Center.
According to Rathje, the new facility’s quality will attract more families to participate in outdoor recreation, and the campground revenue is expected to increase in the coming years.
The new shower house provides a much-needed upgrade from the old shower house facility, which lacked appeal to campers.
With a new, top-notch facility, the campground can attract and retain campers, including those with high-end RVs who expect high-quality amenities.
Moreover, the new shower house is fully ADA-compliant, which means that the facility is accessible to people with disabilities. This can help the campground attract a wider range of visitors, including those who need accessible facilities.
Also, the completion of the shower house project is part of a larger investment in the campground’s infrastructure and outdoor recreation activities.
This investment is expected to increase the revenue generated by the campground, which is a valuable source of income for campgrounds and can help fund future projects.
Isn’t the new shower house at Ottumwa Park Campground a game-changer? It offers campers a luxurious experience, connecting them with nature. Imagine the refreshing stay with modern amenities, enhancing outdoor adventures to a new level!