Lodge rebuild steps closer

Union County is getting closer to repairing Three Mile Lake Lodge as insurance results start to come through. The lodge, office and shop were all damaged after two tornadoes came through Friday, April 26.

Union County Conservation Director Doug Jones updated the Union County Board of Supervisors on efforts to clean up tornado damage at Three Mile Lake. Now that cleanup is done, damage estimates are being reviewed by ICAP, or Iowa Communities Assurance Pool. ICAP is a member-owned, group self-insurance program that provides property and casualty coverage to Iowa public entities.

Jones is working with LJ Roth Restoration Service from Southeast Iowa to rebuild the damaged structures. Earlier on in the cleanup, LJ Roth was used to dehumidify the lodge and take care of water damage.

“I just want to be able to continue on with this contractor and have him fix the lodge and move down and fix the office and shop,” Jones said. “He has said, as soon as the insurance pulls the trigger and says we’re okay with your estimates, he said he can have everything put back together in 60 days.”

Jones was able to find old bid packets and designs for when the buildings were originally constructed to use as a base. A few small changes will likely be made with the lodge due to fundraising efforts for a west-wing addition.

“Right now, we intend to put both of them back together the way they were and at the same time, I don’t want to fix that lodge to be perfect the way it was pre-tornado and then go and tear it off,” Jones said. “My main concern right now is to get that lodge back at least on its way to being at least put back together as soon as we can to stop the water from coming in, and then get our office and shop built.”

Jones wanted to check with the board to ensure the correct procedure was followed. While normal construction plans require a bid, Jones was assured this project would not require one due to insurance finances.

“For an insurance claim, you’re seeking compensation for damages and loss, but you’re not actually purchasing,” Union County Board of Supervisors Chair Dennis Hopkins said. “Again, as long as you’re within that insurance, ICAP dollar amount. If you’re not outside that dollar amount, then we’re not making a purchase, and we wouldn’t have to approve it. We trust you and your board’s judgment.”

The contract for construction will be made once the ICAP insurance information is returned. In the mean time, all events scheduled at the lodge have been canceled.

In other county news...

The board approved a bid of $741,789.50 by Iowa Earth Works for pipe replacement on 110th Street, from the Adams County line to Highway 25. The company has done previous work in Union County, including at 190th Street, Pole Road and Yellow Rose Avenue. The entire project will be financed by TIF funds, or reallocated property tax revenue from the state.