First phase of North Liberty’s Centennial Park project complete

NORTH LIBERTY — Fifteen years ago, the City of North Liberty established Centennial Park on the south side of town.

Last week it celebrated completion of the first phase of a $16 million park expansion that adds an event hall, amphitheater, splash pad, pavilion and plaza. Planners hope to turn it into a regional attraction.

Background

Centennial Park’s story began in 2010, when the city purchased 40 acres of land for the park and developed a master plan for it. Centennial Park, the city’s largest park, opened in 2013 on St. Andrews Drive west of Jones Boulevard.

By 2022, the city had completed construction of driveways, permeable paver parking, trails and play features at the park.

It was during an update of the 2012 master plan, in 2022, that the city imagined a more accessible park that would become a regional centerpiece for concerts, festivals, fairs and other events.

The four-phase expansion announced that year included an event center and amphitheater, a splash pad, open air pavilion and honor garden.

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The $16.4 million park project is being funded through a mix of American Rescue Plan Act dollars, state and federal grants and donations. The city also has committed $6.5 million to Centennial Park’s expansion.

In 2023, the city launched “Building North Liberty’s Next Stage,” a fundraising campaign for all four phases of the park. The city set a goal of raising $3.5 million.

The city partnered with Community Foundation of Johnson County to establish a non-endowed fund to accept grants and gifts.

Construction on the first phase of the expansion — with a price tag of $7.27 million — began in July 2024. It includes a 13,000-square-foot event center and a 2,700-square-foot amphitheater.

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What’s Happened Since

North Liberty has officially completed the first phase of the project, and hosted an opening ceremony for the event center and amphitheater last week.

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Photos: Performing for a crowd in at new North Liberty event center

“This facility stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, shared purpose and love for our community. It is my hope that it becomes a gathering place where stories unfold, voices are heard, and the spirit of North Liberty shines,” City Administrator Ryan Heiar said at the opening ceremony.

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City staff have already booked more than 25 events for the space, including weddings, graduation parties and corporate events.

The city council also approved a rental rate structure that has standard rates ranging from $400-$1,400 depending on day of the week and length of the event.

The structure provides discounts to North Liberty residents, businesses and nonprofits.

Donors of all types and at all levels emerged to give to the project, including the Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.

Hy-Vee announced in February plans to spend $750,000 on naming rights to Centennial Center and Amphitheater for the next 15 years.

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The $750,000 will be distributed to North Liberty over the course of 15 years with an annual $50,000 contribution.

In total, the city has raised more than $3.2 million toward its goal of $3.5 million.

The outdoor amphitheater will make its public event debut over Memorial Day weekend with a free community concert.

“Together, we have built a really special building, but it is the memories that we're going to make inside these walls and out on the lawn that will really make the space yet another unique thing that people love about North Liberty,” Jillian Miller, the city’s assistant community relations director, said at the opening ceremony.

The project’s four phases include:

Construction on the second phase — the 5,000 square-foot splash pad — will begin next year.

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Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com

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