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Project to expand Centennial Park, the ‘spirit of North Liberty,’ begins next week
The $16 million four-phase project is projected to be completed within five years
Jul. 10, 2024 5:30 am, Updated: Jul. 10, 2024 7:31 am
NORTH LIBERTY — The expansion of North Liberty’s Centennial Park will do more than provide space for community events, supporters of the project said Tuesday. It will unite Johnson County and its residents.
“Beyond the economic benefits, Centennial Park represents the spirit of North Liberty,” said Nick Pfeiffer, vice president of public affairs at Think Iowa City. “It stands as a testament to creating a vision, to fostering a vibrant community, and the belief of the power of the arts to bring people together.”
Pfeiffer and dozens of other government and community leaders gathered at the park, 1565 St. Andrews Dr., in North Liberty Tuesday morning to break ground on a $16 million expansion.
Construction on the first phase of the expansion — which will cost $7.27 million — is set to begin next week and last 12-14 months. It will include a 13,000-square-foot event center and a 2,700-square-foot amphitheater.
North Liberty’s Blues & BBQ festival this Saturday will be the last event before construction begins.
When it’s complete, the four-phase project also will include a splash pad, open air pavilion and honor garden.
Nick Bergus, community relations director for North Liberty, said the city hopes the entire project can be done within five years, but there’s no hard deadline.
“The contract for the event center and amphitheater came in $1 million below what our engineer estimated. So that's going to help make some of that money move forward on some of those additional phases faster,” Bergus said. “(The timeline) is also going to depend on what other sources of revenue we have.”
The park project is being funded through a mix of city funds, state and federal grants and donations.
Last year the city launched “Building North Liberty’s Next Stage,” a fundraising campaign for all four phases of the park. Bergus said the city has raised $2.3 million of its $3.5 million goal.
The city partnered with Community Foundations of Johnson County to establish a non-endowed fund to accept grants and gifts. Individuals and business donors have contributed to the fund.
North Liberty has received grants from the state, community organizations and has put American Rescue Plan Act funding toward the project.
The city also has committed $6.5 million to Centennial Park.
Field Day Brewing in North Liberty’s released a “Centennial Park Pilsner” to contribute to the campaign. For every pint or four-pack of beer sold, Field Day will donate $1, up to $50,000, to the campaign.
Think Iowa City estimates the park expansion will bring an additional $11.5 million per year to the local economy.
North Liberty bought the land for Centennial Park in 2010 when the west side of the city was largely underdeveloped. A master plan was created in 2012. By 2013 the city had added a playground and parking lot.
The new Centennial Park will offer space for concerts, festivals and local band and dance recitals. There also will be an ice rink and a space for farmers markets seasonally.
The plan also includes wheelchair accessible playground equipment, a picnic area, restrooms and expanded parking areas.
“This project is a win for North Liberty and all of Johnson County, and our intent is that Centennial Park will be a striking place that residents will cherish as a quality of life amenity businesses will boast about when recruiting employees and visitors will rave about when talking about their time in Iowa,” Jillian Miller, North Liberty’s assistant director of community relations, said at Tuesday’s groundbreaking.
The park’s event center will be available for weddings, business receptions and family reunions.
The city is already booking events for Centennial Center throughout 2025-2026.
While construction begins on phase one, the city is continuing to collect donations to support the project.
Phase two will include the splash pad, picnic shelters and extended play areas. Phase three is the year-round community pavilion space. The final phase will add an honor garden to recognize members of the community.
How to give
Donations are being accepted by the Community Foundation of Johnson County, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, via cash, checks, credit card as well as other assets including stocks, required retirement disbursements and more.
Gifts are eligible for tax deduction and can be made at northlibertyiowa.org/give or by check to the Community Foundation of Johnson County at 501 12th Ave., Suite 102, Coralville, IA 52241, noting Centennial Park Fund in the memo.
Questions about the project can be directed to city staff at nextstage@northlibertyiowa.org.
Learn more at northlibertyiowa.org/departments/parks/next-stage-centennial-park-north-liberty-iowa
Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com
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