Turn back the clock about a decade ago and Osage, Iowa had many groups with several needs. The local pool was in dire need of repair. Community members wanted an auditorium for theatre and musical events. The local ag society desired a building to host events on the fairgrounds. There were many needs for new facilities.
“Everybody was vying for private funds to build their project and it became apparent to those of us on the firing line that nobody was going to be successful,” says Steve cooper, Mayor of Osage.
Cooper says the groups knew they couldn’t all get what they wanted immediately. There were simply too many needs and not enough private funds to go around. Someone suggested they band together and perhaps create a facility that included everything they needed. An architect was hired to design a plan.
“He came up with a cost of around $12.5 million dollars, and when that figure surfaced, I thought, ‘Well it was a good try,’” says Cooper.
That amount of money in a town of just over 3,000 people was more than anyone thought could be raised. The local Osage Education Foundation heard about the plan and the price tag. Perhaps they should share the story with those at the alumni banquet since it attracts people from near and far. The message resonated and Cooper was amazed by the giving, which came in at $7.5 million.
“We have a list of people who were donors to this and some of them gave as little as ten dollars but it seemed like everyone wanted to be a part of this,” says Cooper.
The efforts resulted in the Cedar River Complex. It includes an indoor pool, fitness center, walking track, basketball courts, 600 seat theatre, museum and more.
“This has not been a burden on anybody’s taxes. This facility has not only been able to get built but has been able to maintain sustainability on its own,” says Cooper.
About 2,400 people have memberships for the pool and fitness center. The 600-seat theatre, which is part of the same complex is also quite a draw.
“We now have the Cedar Summerstock theatre, which is mostly aspiring college students that like theatre and drama,” he adds.
The four Broadway style shows produced each year bring people from across the country. Perhaps the biggest impact is what the CRC has done for the present and future of this community.
“I hear from people that say they moved back because of – not just because of the CRC, but just because of the attitude of the community and wanting to be in their home town,” says Cooper
Every small town has its opportunities and challenges. For residents of this area it took people coming together and even connecting with those who had ties from the past to make this place a reality and because they did it makes it a great place to call home.
To earn more about how Osage, Iowa was able to bring organizations together to build the impressive complex, and perhaps how you could make it happen where you live, listen to the “Farming the Countryside” podcast.
