Rep. Kurt Swaim (D-Bloomfield) says it is “great, great news” that Gov. Chet Culver included $8 million in his proposed budget for the Honey Creek Resort State Park.

The additional funds are needed after the initial bidding for Phase 2 came in over estimates. The project was rebid, with the lodge redesigned and reduced in size by about 22,000 square feet. Also dropped from the second bidding are the planned 28 cabins. The additional $8 million would be used for the construction of the cabins.

Swaim noted that the governor’s proposed budget is just a recommendation to the Iowa Legislature, but it was important that the Honey Creek be included in it. He commended Culver for supporting the resort and added that Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, an Albia resident, was also instrumental in seeing that the $8 million was in the budget.

Committees in both the Iowa Senate and House will begin the process of reviewing the governor’s budget next week. Swaim said he was optimistic that the $8 million would survive the budget process.

The Iowa Natural Resources Commission awarded the lodge complex construction contract to Hansen Construction, Inc. of Johnston for $19.3 million.

The Honey Creek Resort State Park at Rathbun Lake 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, boat docking facilities and hiking and biking trails. The resort complex will be across the bay from the existing 850-acre state park on the shore of Rathbun Lake.