By Sam Parsons
The Oskaloosa City Council met last night and formally approved the site plan application for a new recreation and entertainment facility at Gateway Commercial Park. The proposed 46,000 square foot facility is currently being referred to as the “Oskaloosa Entertainment Venue” and would include a bar & grill restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a 3-screen movie theater with concessions, 2 tennis courts, 4 pickleball courts, and 3 golf simulators.
Construction of the facility is expected to begin this fall and the city says it could be finished in late 2024. The facility will be developed and managed by EVOLVE Hospitality, the same entity that manages the adjoining Fairfield Inn.
The council also approved the first reading of an ordinance amending their zoning code. Development Services Director Shawn Christ said that the updates were guided by the goals and recommendations of the “Plan Osky” comprehensive plan, which was approved by the city in November 2022. Some of the changes included extending the city’s zoning to its 2-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction, streamlining approval processes, and meeting legal requirements.
And in other business, the council approved agreements between the city and Iowa State University’s Community Design Lab, as well as the city and the Mahaska County Conservation Board, for the development of a new comprehensive park plan, and they approved a contract with Iowa Dredging, LLC to perform the dredging of the Edmundson Park pond.
The next regular meeting with the Oskaloosa City Council will be held on August 21.
