October 7, 2022 (DES MOINES, IA) – At yesterday’s (Thursday’s) meeting, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants totaling $1 million to pool projects in Hubbard and Laurens and a Sports Tourism grant to Des Moines in support of the USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) Target Nationals.

The details for the projects receiving CAT grants follow:

Project Name: Hubbard Pool, Hubbard
Total Project Cost: $3,178,015
Amount Awarded: $500,000
Project Description: This project includes the demolition of the city’s existing pool and construction of a new 3,600-square-foot facility with two diving boards, a toddler slide, basketball hoop, volleyball net and ADA accessible hard surface parking.

Project Name: Let’s Create a Splash Together – The Laurens Pool Project, Laurens
Total Project Cost: $2,976,469
Amount Awarded: $500,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a 3,100-square-foot swimming pool with five 25-meter swimming lanes and a 1-meter diving tower, a new bathhouse and concession stand.

The details for the project receiving a Sports Tourism grant follow:

Event Name: USA Archery JOAD Target Nationals, Des Moines
Event Dates: July 12-16, 2023
Total Project Budget: $47,070
Amount Awarded: $23,535
Description: The Junior Olympic Archery Development Nationals is a USA Archery sanctioned event open to youth archers competing in the recurve, compound, fixed pins and barebow divisions. Event marketing and promotion will include airport baggage claim and other airport signage the week of the event, digital billboards around Des Moines welcoming the group and customized Snapchat filters for attendees to utilize and promote Des Moines while visiting.

The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. To date, 103 CAT grants have been awarded by the board, totaling $33,283,183. The next Enhance Iowa Board meeting is scheduled for November 3, 2022.