It's now official - the state will help pay for the "renovation" of West Lake Park in Scott County. Last week, the Iowa DNR's Natural Resource Commission formally approved paying 75 per cent of the cost, or 2.2 million dollars. And the Scott County Conservation Board approved paying 25 per cent - 751,000 dollars.
Conservation Board Deputy Director, Marc Miller, says the two year project actually started during the summer when the four lakes in the park were drained. And along with dredging sediment, a key part of the project will be stabilizing the banks.
"Essentially we will go in with dozers and we'll push the banks back up and then they'll be stabilized with a variety of different products. We're going to use rip-rap and some geo-grid type products that will stabilize those banks so that they won't slip in the future."
The lakes and the park were built in the early 1970's.
"Typically back in those days they designed lakes and ponds for a 35 year life expectancy, meaning that after 35 years you would have to go back in there and clean that out. In our situation, it's been about 48 years, so it is time to do the renovation."
Miller says renovating the lakes should be finished in 2021, and will include re-stocking them with fish.
The Scott County Conservation Board estimates 500,000 people visit West Lake Park each year. It also hosts the annual Quad Cities Triathlon which attracts around 700 entrants.
