By next September, a $6.4 million new building for research and more should be finished at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory on West Lake Okoboji.
Lakeside Lab Director Mary Skopec on Wednesday told Siouxland Public Media News that the Innovation and Discovery Laboratory will be a much needed advance, to replace decades-old buildings that aren’t functional.
“We will have this new 8,000 square foot building that provides classroom space, lab space and just a big increase in functional space that we have year-round,” Skopec said.
Iowa Lakeside Lab is a place for students attending the three state public universities and other places to study amid the distinctive Okoboji waters and landscapes, while also hosting many community events related to nature.
The project began with a 2017 study of the facility’s infrastructure, much of which includes structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps crews in the 1930’s.
“We are bursting at the seams, we don’t have enough space for everybody,” Skopec said.
All the $6.4 million needed has been raised via a lot of fundraising, plus some state money. The new building will include a classroom for 150 people, plus areas for students and others to carry out water quality activities.
Skopec said some building demolition, including of a botany lab, will begin by the end of October.
There will be a second phase of additions ahead, with 2027 as a possibility to add housing facilities for people at Iowa Lakeside Lab. Increasing the number of housing units from 100 to 180 would be a big plus, Skopec said.
Fundraising for that housing is underway.
