IA DNR: DNR Seeks New Project Coordinator for Honey Creek Resort

Terry Montgomery, who has served as the project coordinator of the resort park project since June of 2007, is stepping down later this month to take a position as vice president of business intelligence for Kum & Go.

“We are on schedule and on budget right now to open in August and this is largely due to Terry’s leadership on the project. We have a strong team in place to complete Honey Creek on time, on budget and have a centerpiece project that Iowa’s citizens can be proud of,” said DNR Director Richard Leopold.

Leopold said Montgomery’s successful leadership on the project will actually make it easier to transition to a new coordinator now.

“Terry lead us through the challenges of financing and getting the construction phase started and much of this work is now complete. We are right at the point of this project where we are shifting gears, moving from financing and construction to more of a focus of opening the facility, operating it and marketing,” said Leopold.

Honey Creek Resort State Park will initially include a 105-room lodge, a convention center accommodating up to 300 people, restaurant, lounge, indoor aquatic center, 18-hole championship golf course, spa, beach, boat ramp, boat docking facilities and hiking trails. The resort complex will be across the bay from the existing 850-acre Honey Creek State Park on the shore of Rathbun Lake in south-central Iowa. An activity center, day-use shelters and family/group cabins are also slated to be built in future stages of the project.

“Terry’s already done the heavy lifting for us in getting this very complex construction project off the ground. Phase 1 of the project is on target to open in August as scheduled. He got us through the difficult start-up phase of this project, and, as a result, the golf course is already complete and the construction of the lodge is in full swing and on target for completion this summer,” said Leopold.

Leopold said the change in coordinators comes as the project is transitioning from construction to one focusing on opening, operation and marketing. Central Group Companies, Inc., of St. Cloud, Minn., has been contracted to manage the resort complex once it is opened.

Central Group Companies will oversee the daily operations of the state park’s lodge, aquatic center, convention center, restaurant and golf course. The company will also team with the DNR to provide educational programming and nature-based activities at the facility.

“We are extremely pleased with the addition of Central Group to the Honey Creek project. From the very beginning, they have shared our vision to create a destination resort experience while preserving and showcasing Iowa’s natural resources. Central Group Companies’ expertise in hospitality management will help ensure this mission resonates throughout the resort,” said Leopold.

As the Honey Creek project moves toward the opening date of August, Leopold said the DNR will be bolstering its internal efforts in the upcoming months in preparation of the resort becoming operational.

Leopold said Deputy Director Liz Christiansen will be heading up an internal team that will include the new project coordinator and other DNR staff members as the project moves from the construction phase to becoming operational.

“The construction phase of this project is rapidly moving toward completion. We are now turning our attention to the activities that will make this a memorable experience for visitors once the resort has opened,” said Leopold.

Montgomery, who previously served as the chief financial officer for the Science Center of Iowa and as an executive for Younkers prior to that, will be assisting in the transition to a new project coordinator for Honey Creek.

“We are pleased that Terry has been able to find a great career opportunity for himself at a time where the Honey Creek project is nearly complete and ready to become the flagship of our already great state park system,” said Leopold.

Honey Creek Resort State Park is scheduled to open in August 2008. Reservations for group meetings and events can be made by calling 641-724-9600.

For more information, contact Kevin Baskins at 515-249-2814.