MORAVIA – Hansen Company, Inc., the contractor hired by the Iowa DNR to build Honey Creek Resort State Park’s lodge, is beginning construction at the site.

“We (Hansen) are really excited to be involved in this ground-breaking project,” said Greg Cushing, vice president of Business Development.

The facility is scheduled to open summer of 2008 and will include a great lodge, convention center, restaurant, water park and 105 guest rooms. It is the first major resort facility at an Iowa state park.

“Honey Creek Resort is about improving the quality of life for Iowans,” said Cushing. “We feel fortunate and honored to be a part of it.”

According to Tony Garcia, chief estimator at Hansen, the first stage of construction includes building the concrete footings and foundation walls for the 108,000-square-foot lodge, in addition to underground mechanical and electrical utility work that will feed from below the ground floor slab.

“Right now we are laying the groundwork for the lodge,” said Garcia. “In September, we’ll begin framing the hotel portion of the structure. All our staff and subcontractors are excited and willing to do what it takes to complete the job by next summer.”

Hansen Co. has named Ryan Ferris as the project manager for constructing Honey Creek Resort, and Chris Halstead as on-site superintendent. Both Ferris and Halstead will live in the area during the one-year construction process.

The Iowa DNR hired Hansen to construct the facility in early July for $19.1 million. The contractor estimates 20 to 30 employees will work on initial concrete and electrical work, with as many as 90 to 100 people on site during peak construction times.

According to Terry Montgomery, the Iowa DNR’s project administrator for Honey Creek Resort State Park, the influx of workers will benefit Appanoose and Monroe counties through increased hotel and restaurant use, among other needs.

“The local communities will definitely notice the positive impacts of a long-term construction project of this size,” said Montgomery. “Additionally, the resort park will mean new jobs to help operate the facility once we open its doors.”

Hansen Company, based in Johnston, has been in business for 28 years and has constructed several prominent Iowa projects. Other facilities built by the firm include the Rathbun Rural Water Association facility, the Great Ape Trust of Iowa in Des Moines, the Molengracht in Pella, the Hotel Pattee in Perry, the Marshalltown YMCA which includes indoor aquatics facilities, and water parks in Altoona and Pella.

Other quality of life projects Hansen Company has been involved with include Principal Riverwalk, Meredith Trail, Brenton Ice Skating Plaza and Hansen Company Triangle in Des Moines.

The initial subcontractors on the project include Drew Brandt, Ackley, for concrete work and Proctor Mechanical and All Pro Electric of Des Moines. Honey Creek Resort State Park is scheduled to open summer of 2008. Besides the lodge and convention facility, the resort includes an 18-hole golf course, beach, dock facilities, education center, trails and other outdoor amenities.