KALONA

The Washington County Riverboat Foundation gave away over $4.3 million dollars Wednesday night, making dreams come true for area organizations. Not least of those awarded spring grants were schools: Washington, Mid-Prairie, and Highland all went home with cash for projects.

In the case of Washington’s Athletic Boosters, that sum was a big one: $3.5 million to help with the construction of a field house for Washington Demon activities and classes, to be built on the site of Washington High School. The new field house will allow indoor practices for marching band, as well as a wide array of sports and activities.

The grant matches the largest single project contribution since the WCRF was founded in 2006 – and not all board members were in favor of dispensing such a large sum on a single project. Three of them – Stephanie Sexton, Becky Rich, and Karen Dennler -- voted against the fieldhouse grant, although the board was otherwise unanimous in approving the other 14 grants awarded at the May 21 meeting.

The school districts of northern Washington County did not go home from empty-handed; Mid-Prairie received $60,000 for a new football/track scoreboard to “enhance the fan experience”, and Highland received $13,498 for a makerspace classroom that will “cultivate problem solving, communication, time management, and hands-on learning skills.”

Medical care also found favor with the WCRF board this spring; Washington County Hospital and Clinics was awarded $250,000 toward its physical therapy facilities, as that department “is undergoing a significant remodel to improve patient care and modernize the equipment with the latest in therapeutic practices.” Wellman Volunteer Ambulance received $2,621 for a video laryngoscope, which will “help to ensure that patients requiring breathing tube placement receive appropriate pre-hospital care.”

The remaining nine grant recipients include:

City of Ainsworth, $250,000 for a new fire truck; Washington County Fair, $80,772 to improve restroom facilities; Washington Public Library, $23,258 for technology to ensure historical collections are maintained and accessible; Washington County Conservation, $75,000 for a new playground and multisport surfacing at Marr Park; Healing at English River Outfitters, $15,338 for an equipment storage building; Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere, $15,000 for continued support for veterans learning to play golf; Sleep in Heavenly Peace, $10,000 to build 100 beds for children; Schantz Mitchell American Legion Post 593, $5,300 for a cemetery flag project; PLANT Washington, $4,737 to plant flowers, vegetables, and herbs on a site that was once a city landfill; and Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, $1,000 for a writing program and platform.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to help groups like yourselves, and this board is thrilled to help with what you’re doing out there,” WCRF Board President Jim Hauth said at the conclusion of the grant awards announcement, which took place at the Kalona Historical Village.

A special awards presentation is expected to take place in fall at the Riverside Casino, where both spring and fall grant awardees will be recognized.