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What's New?Bluffs Hosts Statewide Development Forum 8/28/200708/31/2007 Bluffs hosts statewide development forum Heather Alexander , Staff Writer Council Bluffs hosted the 21st Annual Iowa Downtown Summit Tuesday and Wednesday, drawing hundreds of businessmen and women to the downtown area. Chamber directors, main street directors, architectural designers and business owners came to hear ideas on how to revitalize their downtown communities. "Every year the summit is held in a different city," said Debi Flanders, downtown consultant for the Iowa Department of Economic Development. "The last two years we targeted the western part of the state, and next year we'll focus on central Iowa. Bayliss Park Hall, the Council Bluffs Public Library and the Masonic Temple held events, and an opening-night reception was held at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. Reaction to the summit in Council Bluffs was positive. "People have really enjoyed their stay here in Council Bluffs," said Norman. "I've heard great compliments about Bayliss Park and Bayliss Park Hall." The Iowa Department of Economic Development's Main Street Iowa Program organized the summit. Cities with a population of under 50,000 have Main Street programs. There are 36 Main Street communities in Iowa. The Main Street Iowa Program's mission is to improve the social and economic well being of Iowa's communities by assisting selected communities to capitalize on the unique identity, assets and character of their downtown area. ©SW Iowa News 2007 Rebirth of Bayliss ParkBayliss' rebirth a spectacle Tom McMahon, Staff Writer 04/29/2007 Water cascades down the cobblestones at the base of the fountain that serves as the centerpiece of the newly dedicated Bayliss Park. The fountain was officially turned on at the conclusion of the dedication. More than 1,000 people joined public officials, Bayliss Park fountain fundraisers, fountain donors and the artist as the new fountain was officially turned on Saturday in what master of ceremony Bill Ramsey called "the people's park." R.H. Fanders, portraying park founder Samuel S. Bayliss, told the enthusiastic crowd the land Bayliss donated for the park in 1853 was jokingly referred to as a weed patch at the time. "If you're watching up there, look what they've done to Sam Bayliss' weed patch." The shirt-sleeve-weather audience joined Mayor Tom Hanafan and Parks, Recreation and Public Property Director Ronald Hopp in a countdown to turn on the highly anticipated fountain. When the gathering hit one, a spray of water emerged from the central flute, cascading down the brick sides. Then the fountain erupted in water, mimicking the audience's bursts of applause. Colored lights hit the sprays as the sun went down. To the north, children stood on top of water sprays shooting up from the bricks of the interactive fountain in the children's play area. Parents and artist Brower Hatcher's black squirrel sculptures looked on. Hanafan recalled April 30, 2004, when he received Hopp's memo telling him the Bayliss fountain wouldn't work anymore. While that was a dark day for the city, Saturday night's perfect weather matched the mayor's mood. "It's a proud day for all of us," Hanafan said. "This is part of our heritage. We continue to hold (Bayliss Park) in our heart and in our hands." Artist Brower Hatcher, of Providence, R.I., designed the park's public art, including the fountain sculpture, the performance area dome, the black squirrels and the plaza furniture. "This is very touching and more than I could have ever imagined," he said to the crowd. Brower named the fountain Wellspring. "It reminds me of the wellspring of support and goodness and the way this project came together," he said. Several dignitaries touched on that theme, thanking the more than 2,000 supporters, state, city and county entities that donated more than $2.5 million to match a $2.1 million Iowa West Foundation grant to help fund the project. "I want to thank the great and generous people of Council Bluffs," Hopp told the audience. "From 5-year-old Kayla, who donated $5, to the Iowa West Foundation's $2.14 million donation that blew life into this project." Fundraising campaign co-chairs Doug Goodman and Dick Miller thanked all those who helped with the campaign and contributed to its completion. "I hope this project will be the cornerstone of a continued redevelopment of the downtown area," Miller said. Iowa West Foundation Executive Director J. Todd Graham gave every indication that would be the case. He announced that four new public art projects will be unveiled downtown and at the Mid-America Center in the next 18 months. Graham also invited the crowd back to the park July 1 to watch the world-famous Joffrey Ballet perform. He said the new fountain and art can bring tourism, art-related businesses and economic development to the city. "It is a source of pride and our creative energy." No one in Sam Bayliss' weed patch was disagreeing. ©SW Iowa News 2007 Mardi Gras Ball Fundraiser (Black Tie or Costume) Friday, February 23, 2007Join us for the WOM:OHEC Fundraiser, a Mardi Gras celebration, where you can eat, drink and dance the night away! There will be a silent auction and cash bar. All proceeds and donations are tax deductible. Word-of-Mouth:OHEC serves children, homeless, near homeless and the elderly. Ticket order forms are available at www.wordofmouthiowa.org or contact Ann Chambers @ 712-256-7044     Theme Dinners at Bayliss Park Hall!Themed Dinner Parties for groups of 20 to 200 are now available. Themes include: Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, Titanic Dinner, Comedy Night, Game Show, Rock N Roll Dance Night, Country Line Dancing, Christmas, Casino Night and more. Costs vary depending upon the size of your group and the night of the week. Sunday through Friday nights are best for these. Saturdays are available only November through February. For information, please call 712-325-8388. Grand ReopeningWe've just celebrated our grand re-opening and we're excited to serve you!  Pictures of Activities  Donation for Bayliss Park © Copyright 2008 Bayliss Park Hall, All rights reserved.
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