West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Opens Raccoon River Boathouse This Week

Press release from the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce:

July 22, 2020

Raccoon River Boathouse Opens This Week
By Alyssa Craven - Editor / West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce

Photo by Jo Allen (@jovisuals)

The Five Waters Project has been progressing well despite the effects of COVID-19 with the Raccoon River Boathouse expected to open by the end of the week. “Our boat concessionaire is moving in on July 20,” said Sally Ortgies, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of West Des Moines. “So, we were hoping this week that the boathouse would be open for rentals.” With COVID-19, extra precautions will be taken to ensure people’s safety. Ortgies said people will be encouraged to social distance and the boats will be disinfected after use. “Boat rentals are actually pretty easy to do as long as during the rental, people are social distancing,” said Ortgies.

For the first season of the boathouse being open, bike rentals will not be available. Ortgies stated that she hopes bike rentals will be available in the coming seasons. The BCycle Station will be available at Raccoon Park for those wanting to rent bikes.

The Five Waters Project also includes building the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater, Raccoon River Pedestrian Bridges and several trails. “The Jamie Hurd Amphitheater is also well on its way to be getting completed,” said Ortgies. “We’re looking at a completion probably at the end of August or the first part of September.” Due to COVID-19 the fall season of the amphitheater will be limited. Private rentals of the amphitheater are still being offered with slots available in 2021.

Sugar Creek Greenway Trail, which is part of the Marathon Loop, is entering its first phase of construction. According to Ortgies, the project is currently out to bid with a contract for the project being awarded in August. The bridge that will connect Raccoon River Park to Walnut Woods State Park has started its design and engineering period. "The bridge project is probably going to be delayed some just with the impact of COVID on our Local Option Sales Tax revenue,” said Ortgies. “The bridge is probably at least a year further out than we originally planned.” Currently, this is the only project that has been delayed. “We’re just happy with the speed and progress that the Five Waters Project has had,” said Ortgies.

This press release was produced by the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.