With golden shovels, Kewanee Park Board members Tuesday launched a major expansion project that will turn Baker Park into a year-round facility.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on the site of the expansion, a greenspace east of the existing clubhouse and 19th Hole restaurant.
The $4 million expansion will include a large banquet hall that can be used for gatherings of large numbers of people. A sports simulator is also planned, and there will be upgrades of the restaurant.
In remarks before the groundbreaking Andrew Dwyer, executive director of the park district, said the expansion will make the vision of a year-round community facility a reality.
Dwyer said the project is a result of the “unmatched vision” of the park board and park employees. He also thanked the community for its support of the project.
State Rep. Travis Weaver said the expansion project presents and “awesome opportunity” for the park district and the Kewanee community.
Also speaking were representatives of the architectural firm that designed the expansion and of Estes Construction, the general contractor on the $4 million project.
Work on the expansion is to begin this fall, with a tentative completion date of late spring.
