As Osceola and Clarke County’s populations continue to grow, so does the need for more recreational and educational spaces. With over 5,000 Osceola residents – and nearly 10,000 county-wide – the Clarke County Conservation Board worked through various opportunities to address the demand for event and education space in the area.
The new East Lake Education Center’s successful grand opening has led to new and exciting activities for Clarke County residents.
On a warm afternoon in mid-September, the Clarke County Conservation team, along with Osceola Chamber Main Street, local business leaders, and community members, gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new East Lake Education Center. Scott Kent, Director of Clarke County Conservation, spearheaded the development of the new center, and with more than 60 attendees throughout the day’s celebration, his hard work culminated into a successful event.
“This event center is focused on providing even more opportunities for our growing community,” said Kent. “Thanks to the support from our community leaders and citizens, we can now offer a full range of outdoor and indoor education and community event opportunities right in our backyard.”
Although the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on September 12, the center has been in use since August. With seating for up to 160 people, the center has already hosted a variety of events, including an Iowa district conservation meeting, a local Turkey Federation banquet, Clarke County Hospital’s Leadership retreat, and personal celebrations like quinceañeras and birthday parties.
“Our executive team was extremely impressed with the new facility,” said Brian Evans, CEO of Clarke County Hospital.
The development of the East Lake Education Center was made possible through a robust fundraising campaign led by the Clarke County Conservation Board. Financing was achieved through a zero-interest loan from Clarke County REC and a supplemental loan from a local bank. Additionally, 45% of the project’s costs were covered by grants, including $200,000 contributions each from the Clarke County Development Corporation and Clarke County Housing, as well as a $100,000 DEKKO grant and generous donations from community members and local businesses. In total, $1.2 million was secured for the project’s completion.
“Not a penny came from taxpayer dollars,” Kent noted. “Once people realized the benefits of having additional public programming space for year-round educational events, day camps, and more, the momentum grew, and the effort succeeded.”
Looking ahead, plans for the East Lake Education Center include installing a trellis archway at the south end of the building for outdoor weddings and enhancing the landscaping with native flowers along a footpath, complete with educational markers for plant identification. Additionally, a significant future project will involve improving road conditions within the park and expanding some shelters to accommodate more guests.
The new Osceola East Lake Education Center can seat up to 160 people.
As word spreads about the new facility, reservations for the center are already filling up with organizations planning events for the fall and winter seasons. If you or your organization would like to reserve the education center, you can do so online at https://mycountyparks.com. There, you can select categories (County, Facility, etc.) to make event reservations.
Upcoming public events that may interest the community include a Wildlife/Outdoor Photography program on November 12. The Clarke County Conservation Board aims to provide free monthly programming for community members interested in outdoor and wildlife education.