We are pleased to be opening the doors of Honey Creek Resort State Park this Saturday, September 20. The last few weeks have been a flurry of activity as carpenters, furniture installers and the staff of Central Group Companies put the finishing touches on the lodge. Words can hardly describe how beautiful the lodge is going to be, with an emphasis on Arts and Crafts design, beautiful woodwork, warm lighting, inviting furniture and gorgeous views of the outdoors.

The special artwork throughout the resort is spectacular. The fireplaces in both the great room and restaurant feature mosaic tiles and inlays designed to reflect Iowa’s natural landscape of prairies and waters. Additionally, stained glass windows in the bar/restaurant were specially designed for the space and reflect the Arts and Crafts theme of the lodge.

The golf course is ready to go and will be open for play on Saturday. Darin Fisher, the Director of Golf, and Erik Hanson, Golf Course Superintendent, along with their staff, have done an exceptional job readying the course for guests. While only nine holes are currently playable due to the high water experienced this summer, golfers will thoroughly enjoy the quality of the greens and fairways.

We are still working on the outdoor landscaping of the lodge. The rainy summer weather held back our ability to plant grass, bushes and flowers, but now planting is in full force. We are excited for the immediate grounds around the resort to reflect the beauty of the indoors in the very near future.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to sample some of the food offerings of Chef Patrick Koffman. Walleye fingers and Steak de Burgo are just a few of the menu offerings visitors will enjoy. We can’t wait for you to come and experience the excellent menu in this beautiful setting.

Thanks to all the partners, community members, contractors and staff who have helped make Honey Creek Resort State Park happen.

A sunny August has helped construction crews and the hotel, golf and park staff make immense progress toward a mid-September opening for Honey Creek Resort State Park.

Thousands of gallons of water rushed into lodge this past weekend. Fortunately, the occasion was not due to inclement weather, but to the completion of the 15,000-square foot indoor water park. The water park has all of its water features installed, including a lazy river, two slides, lily pads and other fun features for the entire family.

The paving and sidewalks around the lodge have been completed, which made the moving of the furniture and materials into the lodge much easier. While the third and second floors of the lodge were being furnished with furniture, lighting and artwork, Wisconsin artist Brad Kaspari began installing commissioned art pieces within the lodge. The glass mosaics and art featuring Iowa fish and wildlife are spectacular.

Approximately 70 new electric golf carts have made their initial run on the 18-hole golf course and await for the course to be open for play. While unprecedented high water has caused challenges, the golf superintendent and his staff are working diligently to make the course a beautiful destination for this fall and next season.

Construction of 28 cabins at Honey Creek Resort State Park is well underway.  Veico Development and Construction, Inc. of St. Joseph, MO started the $5.06 million project in July and are slated for completion in the spring of 2009.

NOTE: This event has been moved to an alternate location. More details can be found here.

For updated information regarding this event, visit http://www.iowapheasantsforever.org/

For Immediate Release

July 10, 2008

Contacts:
Liz Christiansen, DNR, (515) 281-3388, Liz.Christiansen@dnr.iowa.gov
Lee Fundanet, Central Group Companies, (320) 469-6468, LFundanet@centralgroupcompanies.com
DNR SLATES HONEY CREEK RESORT OPENING FOR EARLY SEPTEMBER
Moravia, Ia – Despite wet weather conditions this spring and summer, the Dept. of Natural Resources and Central Group Companies, the resort’s management company, are looking forward to opening Honey Creek Resort State Park  the second weekend in September. The time frame is a few weeks later than the anticipated mid-August opening.

“While Mother Nature hasn’t been kind to our construction schedule, we are excited about the progress and look forward to an early fall opening,” said DNR Deputy Director Liz Christiansen.

One consequence of the later opening date is the move of one of the resort’s first events to an alternate location. Pheasants Forever has relocated its Forever Outdoors fall event, scheduled for Sept. 6 and 7, from Honey Creek to Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. The event is expected to draw 2,500 participants interested in upland game hunting and habitat development. For updated information regarding this event, visit www.iowapheasantsforever.org <http://www.iowapheasantsforever.org> .

“Because the resort will just be opening its doors, as partners we all agreed the event should move to a different location,” said Jeremie Slagle, general manager of Honey Creek Resort State Park. “We look forward to working with Pheasants Forever and other organizations on future major events.”
“Honey Creek Resort will be the perfect location for many types of festivals, group gatherings and events, and we can’t wait to showcase our professional catering, meeting planning and guest services,” added Slagle.

Construction of the resort continues at a rapid pace. According to Christiansen, carpeting and fixtures will be installed in the next month, and work is now starting on installation of major mechanical systems. The indoor aquatic center is close to completion, and roads and trails are continuing to be paved throughout the park. Additionally, the 18-hole golf course is being meticulously groomed for opening day, and the club house is being fitted with fixtures for a snack bar and pro shop.

“We are very excited about the beautiful natural features throughout the park, and the 18-hole golf course exemplifies that,” said Christiansen.

Christiansen emphasizes the resort is still a construction site and visitors need to wait until opening day to get a peek at the park.

“Our number one concern is people’s safety, both visitors and construction workers,” said Christiansen. “There’s a lot of heavy equipment and vehicles moving about the property and people really do need to stay off the resort complex until it is safe.”

Meanwhile, the management team for the resort has been hired, including the sales, catering, and administrative teams. According to Slagle, those teams are now working to aggressively hire and train their guest service staffs, and are expected to have as many as 130 employees during peak seasons.

“Our team couldn’t be more excited for our doors to open,” said Slagle. “Visitors are going to really enjoy the Honey Creek Resort State Park experience, and we are anxious for September and our guests to arrive.”

About Honey Creek Resort State Park

Located on Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Honey Creek Resort is just 20 minutes north of Centerville, 35 minutes southwest of Ottumwa and 95 miles southeast of Des Moines. Visitors can get there by taking Highway 5 to Moravia and turning west on County Road J18.

Honey Creek Resort State Park offers 105 guest rooms and suites, a 6,500 sq. ft. convention center, 18-hole championship golf course, 15,000 sq. ft. indoor water park, dining, RV Park and a variety of exciting outdoor adventures with interpretive programs and activities. Twenty-eight guest cabins will be open in spring 2009.

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The paving jobs for the RV park and boat ramp are complete. The contractor is now concentrating on the main parking lot in front of lodge, as well as parking lots for the golf clubhouse and maintenance building. It looks like the golf clubhouse will be finished and ready to be occupied by staff the first part of July.

Erik and his crew have been putting in long hours to get the golf course in great shape. As you can see from the photos, they are doing a fantastic job - thanks, guys!

Thanks to Ron Clester, from Peoples State Bank, for the great aerial photos. From the sky, you can really get a sense of how large the entire project is - something you just don’t get from a photo taken at ground level.

The recent job fairs that were conducted at Centerville, Indian Hills Community College and at Moravia were very well attended. Over 400 people applied for positions at Honey Creek, which was some kind of record for an area job fair. Thanks to everyone who came out to apply - good luck!

If you are in receipt of a fishing license promotional postcard from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, below please find details regarding the drawing for a vacation package to the DNR’s newest state park!

Grand Prize
Official Prize Rules

1. PURCHASE OF ANNUAL RESIDENT FISHING LICENSE BY JULY 15, 2008 IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. COST OF ANNUAL RESIDENT FISHING LICENSE IS $17.50. CONTEST IS ONLY OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AGE EIGHTEEN (18) AND OVER AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER PERSON.

2. This promotion will end on July 15, 2008. To enter the promotion, purchase your fishing license online at www.iowadnr.gov or visit your local retailer or bait shop. In order to be eligible, fishing licenses must be purchased by July 15, 2008.

3. GRAND PRIZE: ONE (1) WINNER WILL BE AWARDED THE FOLLOWING OFFER:
Two-Nights’ stay at the new Honey Creek Resort State Park located in south-central Iowa on the shores of Rathbun lake.
Complimentary 1 day boat rental, two complimentary meals at Rathbun Lakeshore Grille and 4 water park passes to Buccaneer Bay Indoor Water Park.
Offer valid August 29, 2008 through December 29, 2008. Advanced reservations required. Reservations can be made by calling 877-677-3344. Restrictions may apply. Please read the fine print below for additional restrictions.
Retail value of one (1) 2-night stay, 1 day free boat rental, 2 free meals for two people, and 4 water park passes is $720.

FINE PRINT:
GRAND PRIZE DOES NOT INCLUDE, AND WINNER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, ANY ARRANGEMENTS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS PRIOR TO AND AFTER THE DATE OF STAY AT HONEY CREEK RESORT STATE PARK; ANY ROOM TAXES AND INCIDENTAL CHARGES ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS OFFER; MISCELLANEOUS HOTEL EXPENSES (PHONE, FAX, LAUNDRY, ETC.), ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL TOURS, AND/OR ACTIVITIES AT HONEY CREEK RESORT STATE PARK ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS OFFER. NO REPLACEMENT PRIZE WILL BE OFFERED IF THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL BECOMES UNAVAILABLE OR DELAYED FOR ANY REASON, INCLUDING INCLEMENT WEATHER OR CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND HONEY CREEK RESORT STATE PARK’S CONTROL. THE GRAND PRIZE IS NON-TRANSFERABLE AND NON-ASSIGNABLE. NO CASH ALTERNATIVE OR SUBSTITUTE TO GRAND PRIZE WILL BE OFFERED. THIS OFFER EXCLUSIVE TO PERSON LISTED ON ADDRESS PORTION OF THE MAILER. RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED ON SPACE AVAILABLE BASIS. RESERVATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED ON BLACKOUT DATES AND HOLIDAYS.

4. The Prize will be awarded by random drawing to be selected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Winner will be notified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Odds of winning will depend on the number of entries. The winner will be notified by telephone or email, at the number or email address provided. To claim the prize the winner should follow the directions provided by the notice.

5. Any prize unclaimed after thirty (30) days from the date of notice will not be awarded. All prizes are non-refundable, non-redeemable for cash, non-transferable, and non-endorsable. Winner assumes responsibility on all applicable taxes associated with the acceptance and use of the prize.

6. Except where prohibited by law, the winner by acceptance of the prize agrees that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources or those acting under its authority may use the winner’s name for advertising and promotional purposes without consideration or further permission.

7. Entrants and winners are solely responsible for their own actions relating to this prize, and the acceptance and/or use of a prize. By participating in this Drawing, and/or by acceptance or use of the prize, all entrants and winners agree to release and hold harmless the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and their affiliates, from and against any liability arising in connection with the Drawing and/or use of the prize.

Download the Job Fair details

Construction of major elements of the park continues at rapid pace.

Third floor rooms have received wall and ceiling finishes, final painting, installation of tub tiling is underway and bathroom floor tiling is complete. Doors are being installed. Hallway walls are finished and painted.

Stone wainscotting is being installed around the building and the concrete siding is being installed.

The maintenance building is nearing completion and the golf superintendent is moving in equipment. The clubhouse has been framed and is being dry-walled.