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City To Transform 66 Acres Into Waukee Youth Sports Complex & Park

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Waukee Betterment Foundation Assisting With All-Inclusive Amenities

As the Waukee Community School District begins construction in October on its second high school, the City of Waukee has plans to turn the adjacent 66-acre property into the Waukee Youth Sports Complex & Park. But, don’t let the word “youth” fool you: the new amenity will benefit community members and visitors of all ages and abilities.

Waukee Youth Sports Complex & Park

Construction on Phase I of the Waukee Youth Sports Complex & Park will begin in the spring of 2021. Phase I will include eight softball/baseball fields and two practice quads with batting cages. These fields will accommodate youth softball players ages 18 and under, as well as youth baseball players ages 10 and under. In Phase 2, four larger baseball fields will be added to accommodate players up to age 14. The need for a complex of this sort has been growing in recent years.

“The impact of this project will be huge,” said Waukee Recreation Supervisor Josh VandeKamp. “Right now, the City has three large fields at Centennial Park and four small fields at Warrior Park. We have 125 teams vying for field space and 40-plus Parks & Rec softball teams to accommodate annually. The construction of this new facility should alleviate Waukee’s shortage of field availability.”

VandeKamp said the investment in an amenity of this magnitude will not only benefit local athletes, but it should also catch the eye of regional tournament planners.

“We envision hosting tournaments on the weekends, which will attract teams from across Iowa, as well as teams from bordering states,” said VandeKamp. “If the weather cooperates, the City’s new complex should be busy from April through October. That could also help boost the local economy as visitors will need places to sleep, eat, shop and be entertained.”

In addition to ball fields, the City plans to construct playgrounds, a lake, trails and parking. The Waukee Youth Sports Complex & Park is expected to open in 2022.

Nearly half of the project will be funded through a Public Improvement Fund set up by Apple; the remainder will be financed by revenues from the Dallas County Local Option Sales & Services Tax. These new funding sources make it possible for the City to complete this project without the use of property tax revenues.

An Eye on All-Inclusive Amenities

In partnership with the City, the Waukee Betterment Foundation recently launched a fundraising campaign for the Waukee Miracle League® Ball Field and Play Area, as well as an all-inclusive fishing pier, all to be included at the Complex. The goal is to raise $2.5 million to put toward these specialized amenities.

“The Waukee Betterment Foundation is devoted to making Waukee better,” said Foundation President Jim Miller. “This project will actually extend its reach beyond Waukee into the neighboring communities to provide a source of recreation for a surprisingly large population. Each Miracle League field can accommodate roughly 220 children in leagues. Since we know there are about 700 children in the area with disabilities, there is a real need. The adult leagues will also have a very strong demand.”

The Miracle League field will serve those with disabilities by way of its custom-designed, rubberized turf field which helps prevent injuries and provides easy access for wheelchairs and assistive devices. An all-inclusive play area with the same material and specialized equipment will also be installed near the field. It can be enjoyed by all visitors.

In addition to sports and play, new fishing opportunities will also be available. The City is constructing a 12-acre lake at the park, and the Foundation is working to ensure its fishing pier suits everyone.

“We are hearing from senior living facilities and veterans’ groups that an all-inclusive fishing pier will be a huge draw,” said Miller. “Currently, there is no place in the area to fish easily if you have mobility issues. This pier will have ample parking and restrooms nearby, as well as paved low-slope walks to the pier. Its design will allow people in wheelchairs to fish from a safe and protected area.”

The Waukee Betterment Foundation’s goal is to have the all-inclusive projects within the complex completed by 2022. To learn more about supporting this initiative, visit WaukeeBetterment.org or call Jim Miller at 515-224-5516.

To follow the progress of the Waukee Youth Sports Complex & Park, as well as other park projects occurring within Waukee, visit Waukee.org/parksandrec.

 

 

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Waukee’s Central Standard Burgers

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By Kellyn Pappas

You don’t have to look far in the Des Moines metro area to find a good burger. From the classics at B-Bop’s to the slightly less conventional choices at Zombie Burger, there’s something to suit every taste. And now customers have an intriguing new option in Waukee: Central Standard Burgers.

Central Standard, located at 1222 SE University Avenue, is the second location of a restaurant that got its start in Bettendorf, Iowa, about five years ago. According to general manager Andy Crounse, the restaurant was developed as an alternative to more traditional “cookie-cutter” burger joints.

Central Standard proved enormously popular. As the restaurant, along with other eateries owned by the same group, continued to be successful, the ownership group determined the time was right to expand. Crounse said Waukee was selected for the new restaurant because Waukee is “all about family and the community—it’s the key to good living!”

According to Crounse, the menu at the Waukee location will look very similar to the one in Bettendorf, with a few differences on the features menu and in the cocktail offerings. For example, a “Warrior Lemonade” mocktail will appear as a Waukee-specific item.

Perhaps unique among burger restaurants, Central Standard bakes all of its own bread, pretzels and buns for their burgers. And these burgers are not slabs of boring beef with nothing but ketchup. Among the dozen or so burger options are the “Oh No,” with cheese curds and fried pickles, and the “Heck No,” with jalapeño poppers and ghost pepper cheese. The menu also includes other sandwiches like the PB & J (that’s pork belly and jalapeño, not the childhood favorite peanut butter and jelly), and various jazzed-up mac and cheese selections (if, like the writer, your taste preferences occasionally lean in the direction of the kids’ menu).

The restaurant takes pride in its craft beer offerings, with 24 beers on tap at any given time. These are locally sourced as much as possible. Current options include beers from Exile Brewing Company and Iowa Brewing Company. “They’re all Iowa beers at the moment,” said Crounse.

Central Standard is also well-known for its massive, creative shakes—think tall glasses rimmed with candy sprinkles and topped with baked goods. For example, the Cookie Dough shake features an actual cookie sandwich, and the s’more shake— well, you get the idea. All menu shakes can be upgraded to loaded shakes for those over 21. The restaurant also features “Will’s Feature Shake of the Month.” A portion of the proceeds from this specialty shake go to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, a partnership which has been going strong for about four years, according to Crounse, and one of which they are especially proud.

Central Standard had a soft open for family and friends the week of July 23 and officially opened for business on July 30. The restaurant currently has about 65 people on staff, and Crounse says they expect to eventually have around 100 employees total. With plenty of indoor space, plus a patio, the restaurant seats around 280 people. Customers can find their menu and hours of operation online at centralstandardburgers.com.

Crounse and his colleagues at Central Standard are excited to bring their unique take on burgers and fries to Waukee. Outside-the-box offerings are their specialty. “We don’t want to be the same old, same old,” said Crounse.

With creative burgers on homemade buns, local craft beers and shakes that provide a lot more than just a cherry on top, Central Standard stands to be an exciting new option for hungry Waukee residents.

 

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Second High School Coming To Waukee

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Waukee area students in graduating classes 2022-25 could be the first to attend the area’s second high school, which is set to open in 2021.

The fast-growing Waukee Community School District was ready to burst at the seams with Waukee High School nearing capacity. Total districtwide enrollment increased from 2,198 students in September 1999 to more than 10,000 this year with a projection of nearly 13,000 in five years.

Meanwhile, the city of Waukee had grown from 5,180 in 2000 to 20,649 last year. Its recent one-year increase of 9 percent was the highest of any city in the Des Moines area.

The Waukee City Council and the Waukee school district took action in May 2016 to deal with the influx. They approved the joint use of 160 acres of green space for a new high school and a city-owned sports complex. The yet-to-be-named 395,000-square-foot, 1,800-student capacity high school will reside just north of Hickman Road near the Waukee Family YMCA.

Most of the land will be used for the school and its amenities with the remaining space slated for 12 softball/baseball fields and a parking lot.

Voters had to approve a referendum for $117 million in general obligation bonds for the new high school in February to make the project a reality. It required 60 percent for passage. It got 90.27 percent.

Meeting Short-Term Needs

The Waukee Innovation and Learning Center—a facility for innovative partnerships between local businesses, the community and high school students—may be used to house additional Waukee High School programs until the second high school opens. Details are still being worked out.

Ten Elementary Schools by 2022

The district is also adding two elementary schools to accommodate growth. Radiant Elementary, at 5050 170th St. in Urbandale, is under construction and expected to open in the fall of 2019.

Land has been purchased for a tenth elementary school off Ashworth Road, west of Ute Avenue and Highway R22. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2020 and it’s expected to open in 2022. A name for the elementary school has not been determined.

In the meantime, Nicole Lawrence, Communications Coordinator with Waukee Community School District, said the district is closely monitoring enrollment and bringing on new teachers to ensure classrooms stay at an appropriate size.

News about the district’s progress on the elementary and high school fronts has sparked questions about the middle schools as well. The district’s website dedicated to providing information about the second high school addressed the issue by stating it will monitor updated enrollment data and then make plans for how to accommodate students at the middle level.

The New High School’s Design

The concept for the new high school was developed through a six-month immersive design process between FRK Architects & Engineers, district administration and a visioning committee comprised of parents, students, staff and community members.

“In a series of three visioning sessions, the committee learned about current standards and trends in high schools around the country, reviewed multiple layouts from newer high schools and then created building layouts to reflect district values,” said Lawrence.

Feedback from the committee was used to create the building’s three-story layout, which includes a rooftop terrace, a media center with a second-floor mezzanine, an auditorium with a second-floor balcony and orchestra pit, a commons area for students and several individual and group learning areas for students and staff.

There will also be a single, secure entrance for staff, students and visitors during school hours.

“Open, light-filled spaces that promote collaboration and student development were high priorities for the committee, with student safety being a top priority,” said David Briden, Senior Project Architect and Principal with FRK Architects & Engineers.

Incorporating a pond on to the campus was also an important and notable feature when designing the school’s layout.

“A natural drainage channel through the center of the site allowed a pond to be placed as a focal point around which the city and school district facilities could be developed,” said Briden. “Placing the building adjacent to the pond allows it to take advantage of views over the pond to the north. The natural slope of the terrain creates a structure that tucks into the hillside, helping to marry the large scale of the building with the site.”

As instructional methods and learning styles continue to evolve, Briden said each classroom space would be adaptable and future-ready for students.

The school parking lot will be ready for newly licensed drivers, too, with enough room for 1,360 stalls.

Athletic Facilities

Lawrence said that while the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union (IGHSAU) ultimately determine sports classifications, the district anticipates each high school to compete at the 4A – IHSAA and 5A – IGHSAU level.

“Both high schools will offer similar programming and opportunities to students,” she added.

The second high school’s outdoor athletic facilities will feature a football stadium with a field and track, four practice fields, 12 tennis courts, and baseball and softball competition and practice fields. Additional amenities such as concession stands and team rooms are also included in plans.

The stadium will be built in a bowl-type setting into the ground. Inside, the school will have a gymnasium seating 2,500, an auxiliary gymnasium, and a three-lane track.

Parents Embrace the Second High School

Abby Jones, a Waukee parent whose fifth-grade son could be attending the second high school said the addition was a definite need for the community.

“It’s amazing to think how this area has grown in such a short period,” said Jones. “When I attended the University of Iowa, I remember some of my classmates from the Chicago suburbs said they graduated with a class of 1,000. That seemed huge, but we’re not far behind those numbers anymore.”

“I really think so much of our growth can be attributed to the school district’s commitment to offering students a truly high-quality education,” she added.

During the 2015-2016 school year, 855 kindergarten students enrolled in the district—a sign of even larger classes to come.

 

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Faces Of Waukee: Melinda Behn

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Tell us about your job.

I serve as President/CEO of the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce. In this
role, I provide administration to further the healthy quality of life and business climate in Waukee. I lead the 330 members—including strategic planning, business advocacy, recruitment, motivation and recognition of volunteers, recruitment and retention of memberships, fund raising, budgeting, and community development. I’ve served in this role since November of 2010.

For those who are unfamiliar, can you tell us what the Waukee Chamber tries to accomplish?

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesses, organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting growth and prosperity in our local economy.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors are business members of the Waukee community, and they chair six different committees through which the Chamber’s work is completed—Membership, Community Development, Government Affairs, Scholarship, Ambassadors and Economic Development. All Chamber members are invited to participate on our committees.

The Chamber puts on numerous events throughout the year. Do you have any personal favorites?

Yes, I have two! First is “What’s Cookin’ in Waukee: A Business Expo and Tasting Experience.” It’s a business expo and tasting experience highlighting all of the great things going on in our business community! Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce members host booths with business information and offer food tastings. The expo is a great way to connect the community to the services offered by our businesses. All members and residents are invited to come check it out and grab a bite to eat at the same
time!

The other is the “Waukee Economic Development Bus Tour.” This will be our sixth year hosting the event, and that’s coming up quickly—Thursday, Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m. The tour provides a closer look at the new development projects in our rapidly
growing community. It’s a wonderful partnership between the City of Waukee and the Waukee Chamber business community. We look forward to filling four buses this year. The tour will start and end in Waukee with a reception to follow at 5:00 p.m. This event is open to the public and will highlight community information, business, school and residential development.

What’s the best way for those interested to learn more about The Waukee Chamber of Commerce?

The best ways to learn more are to visit our website at waukeechamber.com or join us for a luncheon, after-hours event or ribbon-cutting ceremony. I look forward to meeting you in person!

Waukee Area Historical Society Events

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Did you know the Waukee Area Historical Society holds numerous events throughout the year, including several annual events?

For instance, we hold an Alice’s Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser every April. This was our seventh year for this event, and it was a great success with a record-breaking crowd.

We also hold an annual Cemetery Walk on the first Sunday in June at Waukee Cemetery. This year, our speakers along the walk were Estella Copeland, Lillian Vignaroli, Francis Jamison and Chuck Garland. Our 2018 Cemetery Walk Committee did a very good job. Committee members were Marie Nizzi Kayser, Don Bailey and Greg Ruble.

In addition, every first Sunday in October is our Heritage Day. In 2016, our Heritage Day topic was “Waukee’s Agriculture and Railroads.” In 2017, it was “Waukee’s Founding Families” with a children’s story time presented by Dena Forret. This year, our presentation will be on Waukee’s coal mining history. Bruno Andreini will present a program on the Shuler Mine, and Dena Forret will speak about growing up and living at the coal mine camps. The program will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7 at the Waukee Public Library. More information about the Heritage Day schedule will be released in September.

We also partner with Kristine Larson and the Waukee Public Library to bring our Local History Series to the public. This year’s series sponsor is Heartland Co-Op of Waukee. Our next program in the 2018 series will be held Sunday, Aug. 5 at 1:00 p.m., when Rod Stanley will present “Nile Kinnick, Hal Manders and Bob Feller of Dallas County.” After the program, stay and meet the Waukee Area Historical Society Board of Directors and learn more about our organization and our goals. Other scheduled series programs include “Jack Trice – ISU Football” on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1:00 p.m. and “Iowa Connections to World War I” on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 1:00 p.m. The November program will be presented by Fort Des Moines Education, and after the program we will have a reception honoring all veterans. We’d like to thank all of this year’s program presenters. In October, we will plan the Local History Series for 2019.

We added a few new events this year, as well—including an indoor golf tournament and a Dallas County historical bike ride. Both events went very well and we are planning to schedule another indoor golf tournament soon, and another Dallas County historical bike ride in May of 2019.

We are also planning our very first charter bus historical education trip on Saturday, Sept. 8. The topic of the trip is “White Pole Road,” and it will be narrated by Rod Stanley. We will leave Vince Meyer Learning Center at 10:00 a.m. and return no later than 3:00 p.m. The cost is $40 per person, which includes lunch at the Menlo Cafe. Online registration will be open from July 23 to Aug. 23. We must have a minimum of 40 people pre-registered to hold this event. For more information, contact Sue Ellen at 515-782-0025.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Waukee Area Historical Society, please contact us via email at waukeehistory@gmail.com. If you have any historical photos or memorabilia relating to Waukee, please contact any of our current board members or call 515-782-0025. Our current board members are Sue Ellen Kennedy, Marie Nizzi Kayser, Greg Ruble, Don Bailey, Terry Snyder, Anna Bergman, Larry Reed and Randy Yonz.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported WAHS and our mission over the years. We appreciate your continued support. Without you, we would not be able to do what we do for our community and county.

Take the library with you this summer!

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Are you going on a vacation this summer? Don’t forget to take the library with you! The Waukee Public Library has just what you need to keep yourself and your family entertained! Stop in to get a few movies and TV shows, then grab some books, audio books, and magazines.

If you find yourself needing another book or magazine, check out our online library available free of charge to our cardholders anywhere, anytime.

LIBBY for downloadable e-books and audiobooks – The Libby app is the easiest way to get started with digital books and audiobooks from the library. The Libby app is available for Android, iOS, and Windows 10.

FLIPSTER for downloadable magazines – Download your favorite magazines from a variety of publishers and read them anytime, anywhere. Download the Flipster app today!

Did you know that you can check out a Wi-Fi hotspot from the library? Take the internet with you when you go on vacation or just use it in your home! The Wi-Fi hotspots are available to Waukee Public Library cardholders age 14 or older in good standing. One mobile hotspot can be checked out per household address at a time. The hotspots check out for one week and can be renewed and put on hold if available.

Place a hotspot on hold through the library catalog, over the phone or in person. The hotspots use the Sprint network for service and will work most places in the US where Sprint provides data coverage.

Visit waukeepubliclibrary.org/online-library to check out our Online Library today!

To find out more about the Waukee Public Library go to waukeepubliclibrary.org or contact us at askme@waukee.org or (515) 978-7944

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR ADULTS:

SATURDAYS IN CENTENNIAL CONCERT SERIES
The Waukee Public Library, in partnership with the Waukee Area Arts Council, is pleased to present the Saturdays in Centennial summer concert series! PLUS…it’s all FREE.

THE DM PROJECT
JULY 21 | 6:30-8pm

THE HOST COUNTRY
JULY 28 | 6:30-8 PM

COURTNEY KRAUSE
AUGUST 4 | 6:30-8 PM

ADULT CRAFTERNOON
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 | 2:00 p.m.
Adults need crafty time too! Get together with your friends and neighbors to have some crafty fun creating one fun and easy craft. All supplies will be provided by the library. Class size is limited to 15 attendees. Register to reserve your spot! Registration will begin 3 weeks before the event.

LOCAL HISTORY SERIES:
NILE KINNICK, BOB FELLER & HAL MANDERS OF DALLAS COUNTY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 | 1:00 p.m.
Presented by Rod Stanley

HELPING HANDS: BLOOD DRIVE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 | 2:00-6:00 p.m.
You can save three or more lives when you give blood at the Library’s community blood drive, sponsored by LifeServe. To schedule an appointment, visit http://bit.ly/2HXAyq9

FINANCE U
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28| 6:30 p.m.
Learn about the finer points of paying for college! Abby Wolner, with the Evelyn K. Davis Center, will talk about the expenses of higher education and why it costs what it does. Parents and students will also learn about different ways to pay for college, including how to find scholarships and grants.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR KIDS:

MOVE IT WITH MUSIC
THURSDAYS IN JULY | 6:15 p.m.
Bring your family with kids of all ages to sing, dance and play with instruments to a wide variety of music. Pajamas are welcome, and we will always end with a slower song to get ready for bedtime. No registration required.

COMMUNITY HELPERS: WAUKEE FIRE & EMS
FRIDAY, JULY 6 | 10:00 a.m.
Waukee Firefighters will read a story and talk about fire safety. If there is no emergency in progress, a firetruck will be present. Families are invited to visit the library and enjoy stories and presentations from a variety of local guests, followed by an activity. Recommended for kids entering K-3 and their care-givers. Registration is requested and will open 3 weeks before the event. Walk-ins will be admitted if there are unclaimed tickets. Groups of larger than 8 people should email youthservices@waukee.org to determine space availability.

STEAM: MUSIC & TECHNOLOGY
FRIDAY, JULY 6 | 4:15 p.m.
Youth entering grades 1-5 in the fall are invited to enjoy science, technology, engineering, art and math activities with music. Registration is required and will open 3 weeks prior to the event.

COMMUNITY HELPERS: CRITTER CINDY
FRIDAY, JULY 13 | 10:00 a.m.
Critter Cindy from Dallas County Conservation will rock some geology facts! Families are invited to visit the library and enjoy stories and presentations from a variety of local guests, followed by an activity. Recommended for kids entering K-3 and their care-givers. Registration is requested and will open 3 weeks before the event. Walk-ins will be admitted if there are unclaimed tickets. Groups of larger than 8 people should email youthservices@waukee.org to determine space availability.

STEAM: MUSIC & TECHNOLOGY
FRIDAY, JULY 13 | 4:15 p.m.
Youth entering grades 1-5 in the fall are invited to enjoy science, technology, engineering, art and math activities with music. Registration is required and will open 3 weeks prior to the event.

COMMUNITY HELPERS: SURPRISE GUEST
FRIDAY, JULY 20 | 10:00 a.m.
Join us for a story with a surprise guest followed by a fun activity! Families are invited to visit the library and enjoy stories and presentations from a variety of local guests, followed by an activity. Recommended for kids entering K-3 and their care-givers. Registration is requested and will open 3 weeks before the event. Walk-ins will be admitted if there are unclaimed tickets. Groups of larger than 8 people should email youthservices@waukee.org to determine space availability.

STEAM: ART FROM MUSIC
FRIDAY, JULY 20 | 4:15 p.m.
Youth entering grades 1-5 in the fall are invited to enjoy science, technology, engineering, art and math activities with music. Registration is required and will open 3 weeks prior to the event.

COMMUNITY HELPERS: JENNIFER SENNE
FRIDAY, JULY 13 | 10:00 a.m.
Jennifer Senna from Eason Elementary will be presenting music, movement and stories! Families are invited to visit the library and enjoy stories and presentations from a variety of local guests, followed by an activity. Recommended for kids entering K-3 and their care-givers. Registration is requested and will open 3 weeks before the event. Walk-ins will be admitted if there are unclaimed tickets. Groups of larger than 8 people should email youthservices@waukee.org to determine space availability.

STEAM: ART FROM MUSIC
FRIDAY, JULY 27 | 4:15 p.m.
Youth entering grades 1-5 in the fall are invited to enjoy science, technology, engineering, art and math activities with music. Registration is required and will open 3 weeks prior to the event.

CARVE YOUR OWN BUTTER CREATION
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 | 10:00 a.m.
Youth entering grades 1-5 in the fall are invited to enjoy science, technology, engineering, art and math activities with music. Registration is required and will open 3 weeks prior to the event.

Under Construction In Waukee: Pancheros

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Earlier this year, “Under Construction” spotlighted the forthcoming Shoppes at Prairie Crossing, which is currently being built along Hickman Road, just west of the Waukee Hy-Vee. Construction on the development began in the fall of last year. Now some of the businesses at the Shoppes are close to opening—one of which is Pancheros Mexican Grill, which will no doubt make Waukee residents very excited.

The popular Tex-Mex chain, whose first location went up in Iowa City in 1992, has since expanded to more than 70 franchise locations across 14 states—the newest of which will soon be open in Waukee.

According to Emma Seaman, marketing manager at Pancheros, the company identified Waukee as a potential franchise location seven to eight years ago. “The sense of community, growth and traffic caught our eye,” said Seaman.

The company had been waiting for development to occur along that particular stretch of Hickman Road for several years, according to Rodney Anderson, founder and president of Pancheros. There were a few different parcels of land in which they saw potential, but they eventually determined the space at the Shoppes best fit their needs. The decision to sign the lease for that space was made last year.

Pancheros will occupy approximately 2,600 of the 7,150 square feet at the Shoppes, according to Anderson. Great Clips, which has also signed a lease at the center, will occupy roughly 1,200 square feet.

The prime location along a busy stretch of Hickman Road ensures that Pancheros will be difficult to miss—and resist. “We like the visibility and access to our space,” said Anderson.

The location is set to open around August 1, 2018, so Waukee residents will soon be able to snag one of Pancheros’ signature “better built burritos” right in their own neighborhood. “We cannot wait to serve fresh, quality food,” said Seaman.

We’re sure Waukee residents can’t wait, either.

Waukee Chamber Updates: July/August 2018

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Welcome to Waukee!

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting growth and prosperity in our local economy. Join us in providing a warm welcome to the 32 new business members that have joined the Waukee Chamber this year! Thanks to the Chamber Board of Directors and to the entire community for helping these new businesses feel at home in Waukee!

Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Annual Golf Outing Thank-You

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Annual Golf Outing was held on Thursday, June 21 at the Beaver Creek Golf Course. Golfers participated in activities at each tee, sponsored by member businesses. Our guests enjoyed a round of golf and business networking, followed by dinner and prizes!

Thanks to all of our business member sponsors, who were highlighted on signage throughout the golf course. The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our Board of Directors, Community Development Committee, Ambassadors, staff and other volunteers for helping to make the day so enjoyable for all of our members!

Ten Ways to Enhance Your Membership Experience

  1. Volunteer on one of our Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce Committees: Government Affairs, Community Development, Economic Development, Membership, Scholarship or
    Ambassadors.
  2. Refer local business.
  3. Get involved by attending our monthly luncheon!
  4. Promote your business at a Signature Event: Our Annual Dinner & Silent Auction, What’s Cookin’ in Waukee, Golf Outing, Waukee Fall Harvest or the Waukee Economic Development Bus Tour.
  5. Patronize existing businesses.
  6. Support new businesses by welcoming them to our community and participating in their Grand Openings and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
  7. Stay “in the know” with the Waukee Chamber Weekly Business Report.
  8. Share your successes, job openings and events in our communications to Chamber membership.
  9. Collaborate with local organizations to strengthen our community.
  10. Connect with the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce by using our online or printed membership directory.

Waukee Economic Development Bus Tour

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee will host the 6th Annual Waukee Economic Development Bus Tour on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m. A reception will follow at 5:00 p.m. This event is open to the public and will highlight community information, business and residential development and schools. Please RSVP to the Waukee Chamber today!

For more information, visit our website at waukeechamber.com. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@waukeechamber.com or 515-978-7115.

Community Spotlight: Waukee Rotary Club

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Who They Are

The Waukee Rotary Club was chartered in May 1999 with 26 members. According to Drew Strube, president elect of Waukee Rotary, the club now has close to 70 members.

Many of its members are under the age of 40. “We are lively and thoroughly enjoy the fellowship with each other,” said Strube.

What They Do

The focus of the Waukee Rotary Club is to give back to the local community and to donate time and money to regional and international projects, as well.

Its current endeavors include:

  • Partnering with other metro Rotary clubs and the Iowa Wolves organization to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation’s international campaign, Polio Plus. The Rotary Foundation has partnered with the Gates Foundation to work to eradicate polio worldwide.
  • Working with Waukee Christian Services during the holidays to adopt a number of local underprivileged children and provide gifts, as well as donating to Operation Warm to purchase winter clothes for children in the school district who could not otherwise afford them.
  • Organizing the first annual Bar-B-Kee Bash, scheduled for Sept. 15 of this year. The club will put on a barbecue competition and concert to raise funds for their service projects. A portion of the proceeds will also go towards Major’s Army, a team of family and friends raising money for a local child living with cystic fibrosis.
  • Sponsoring inbound and outbound exchange students each year.
  • Taking on various environmental projects, such as sponsoring the new trail head on the Raccoon River bike trail, roadside clean-ups on a section of Ashworth Road, and planting a tree for every member of the club.

What’s Coming Up

The Waukee Rotary Club sponsors the student art exhibit at the Waukee Arts Festival, which will be held this year on July 13-14. The exhibit provides students with space to display (and in some cases, sell) their artwork to the public. This year’s exhibit will be especially exciting, as it will be the first year that the Waukee Area Arts Council will fund and present scholarships to two Waukee High School students to help further their education in the arts.

According to Cody Kilgore, President of the Arts Council, the organization began discussing the possibility of offering scholarships a couple years ago. The plan is to offer the scholarships on an annual basis going forward. The students who applied for the scholarships underwent an application process that included a submitted essay and an in-person interview and portfolio review with the board of the Arts Council.

Kilgore commented that there were five candidates this inaugural year, and selecting who would receive the two scholarships was extremely difficult.

Had we the resources, we wish we could have awarded everyone we interviewed,” he said. “They are all tremendously talented and wonderful individuals. They have bright futures ahead of them.

Be sure to stop by the Waukee Arts Festival this July to check out the artwork at the student exhibit. As always, there will also be food vendors, kids’ entertainment, and live music—including a Friday evening concert by The Nadas. It’s sure to be a great time!

Community Summer Festivals In Waukee

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While many local residents look forward to Waukee’s summer festivals and events, most are likely unaware of the extensive preparation that goes into each event throughout the preceding year.

Lead organizers from several of the area’s staple summer activities discussed with us the behind-the-scenes work necessary to pull off the fun-filled and well-attended events.

If you happen to run into one of the local volunteers or city employees who help make these events possible, be sure to express your appreciation. These activities contribute to Waukee’s quality of life, making it one of the most desirable places to live in Iowa.

Celebrate Waukee (June 2)

Held in Centennial Park, this annual event officially kicks off the summer season, bringing people together to celebrate the town, schools and local businesses. The daylong celebration includes festivities like a pancake breakfast, 5K run, face painting and inflatables, and ends with evening fireworks.

Celebrate Waukee was originally called Waukee Fest. The Waukee Leadership Institute’s class of 2015 decided to rebrand and restructure the event with the help of the city and others in the community. Their first run at the celebration was held during the summer of 2016.

The following year, Waukee Community Festivals — a 501(c)3 non-profit group — took on Celebrate Waukee in hopes of growing the event and putting the profits back into the community.

While the nonprofit’s board of five now does most of the planning, Jerry Slaughter, the Waukee Community Festivals Committee chair, said it takes nearly 60 people to help make the event run smoothly.

Their checklist includes requesting sponsorships, looking for musical acts and acquiring a permit and/or license for the beer garden and fireworks. The board starts making arrangements in September or October of the year before the event.

Slaughter would like to see Celebrate Waukee evolve in a way that embraces the city’s growing, diverse community.

“Having more people of different ethnicities in town presents an opportunity to welcome and learn about different cultures,” he said. “We would like to find more ways to bring people together and get to know one another in an entertaining atmosphere.”

Waukee Arts Festival (July 14)

The Waukee Arts Festival might not be what it is today if Cody Kilgore, president of the Waukee Area Arts Council, hadn’t been told he couldn’t do it.

“I really dislike being told I can’t do something. That became a ‘hold my beer’ moment for me, and we were off and running,” he said.

The idea for the festival came together when fundraising efforts for the Waukee Area Arts Council started to suffer.

“We were looking at creating an event that would have a large impact and raise funds for the organization,” said Kilgore. “It was kicked around in several board meetings for a while. Everyone thought it was a great idea, but we also knew it was going to be a huge project and we didn’t know where to start.”

During its first year, the Waukee Arts Festival showcased 23 artists on a Sunday afternoon. “I spent about three months nearly begging artists to join and arranging the food, music and other vendors and courting sponsors,” said Kilgore.

Preparing for the arts festival continues to be a large undertaking. Kilgore said that he and the board of directors never really stop planning for it.

“It’s like putting together a puzzle,” he explained. “A lot of time is spent building the artist base, finding the musicians to play, and arranging the concert band and sound production. Then we look at food. We want it to be unique. Once those pieces are in place, we fill in the details of support logistics, like recycling and refuse systems, extra restrooms, tents, golf carts for shuttles, signage, parking, mapping out artist spaces, civic organizations we want to invite to exhibit and support, and promoting the event.”

Kilgore said they’re already planning for 2019 concert acts, too. “We’re working with bands that require booking far in advance,” he said. “We’re also looking at working with another organization that will improve our recruitment of artists from across the Midwest and the country. So, we may begin accepting applications for the 2019 festival as early as a week or two after the 2018 event is over.”

Waukee Fourth of July (July 4)

Danae Edwards, recreation supervisor for the city of Waukee, has seen Fourth of July attendance grow as more people move to the western suburbs. Because of the newcomers, the Parks and Recreation board is always looking for ways to make the event more attractive. Next year, that includes the addition of a carnival, which will replace inflatable activities. They also pushed the start of the parade back to 3 p.m. so little ones can have their nap time before lining the streets.

Danae said planning for the event begins in early January, and it takes a village to coordinate the fireworks display at the end of the night. The Fourth of July team consists of several full-time staff members, a special-events team with about two people from Parks and Recreation, police, fire, city administration, marketing and communications and public works, as well as nine board members and about five part-time staff and volunteers.
Organizing the event begins with coordinating logistics at the start of the day, from lining up parade participants to navigating road closures and ensuring police are situated at each intersection on the route. Next is planning for all the vendors to set up in Centennial Park, along with the inflatables, a band, the stage, and the grand finale—the fireworks.
Edwards said the event is meaningful to her because “it’s a great way for the city of Waukee to give residents an event to create traditions and memories.”

Waukee Farmer’s Market (Every Wednesday from June 6 through Sept. 26; 4-7 p.m.)

Des Moines’ downtown farmer’s market is one of the best in the country. But if residents don’t want to make the drive and/or maneuver the crowded streets, they can still scoop up some locally grown produce in Waukee’s farmer’s market in the downtown triangle.

The family-friendly market is managed by local businesses that take turns overseeing the event week-to-week. Planning typically begins at the beginning of the year and involves contacting vendors to participate, scheduling live music, and working with the Parks and Recreation department on street closings.

To participate in the market, vendors are required to grow at least 51 percent of their produce. In addition to fresh veggies, residents can find floral arrangements, baked goods, specialty items, crafts, prepared food and various other items. Attending the Waukee Farmer’s Market is a great way to check out some of the area’s mom-and-pop shops, too.

Lyn Schafer, owner of Classic Floral Design in Waukee, said she hopes the farmer’s market continues to cultivate an atmosphere in which local families can enjoy themselves.

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