The Des Moines City Council on Monday is expected to receive and consider $1.65 million in additional donations and naming agreements for the Reichardt Community Recreation Center project planned on the city’s north side.

With the new round of donations, the project has reached 87% of its $6 million fundraising goal, the city said in a news release.

“This is a major signal that our community is stepping up and helping turn the vision of the Reichardt Community Recreation Center into a reality,” Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page said in a prepared statement. “Fundraising is nearly across the finish line thanks to the support and generosity of these community members.”

The plan for the proposed project was developed over the course of six public meetings and more than 200 community conversations that helped shape ideas for the recreation center and park on the site located in the vicinity of 1611 11th St. and 1600 Ninth St.

New donations and naming agreements include:
– $1 million from MidAmerican Energy Co. A community space will be called “MidAmerican Energy Idea Lab.”
– $500,000 from Polk County. The fitness room will be called the “Polk County Fitness Room.”
– $100,000 from the Gartner family. Michael Gartner, a Des Moines native and a Pulitzer Prize winner, is the former chairman and principal owner of the Iowa Cubs.
– $50,000 from Knapp Properties.

To read previous coverage, including other naming agreements, click here.