The building will be called the Donna Jean Monkelien Pavilion in honor of the late Fort Dodge woman who left a large sum of money to be used for improvements at the park when she passed away in 2019.

The Fort Dodge Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission approved the naming during its meeting on Monday.

“This pays a great tribute to the woman who left $183,000 to the park,” said Lori Branderhorst, Fort Dodge director of parks, recreation and forestry.

The construction of the building started last fall and it is now enclosed, Branderhorst said.

“They’re now working on the inside and that is looking great,” she said. “We’re on schedule.”

The building is expected to be completed by mid-June and open for use by mid-July.

“It’s a beautiful building,” Branderhorst said.

Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, was awarded the contract for the project by the City Council for $549,000.

Once complete, the building will be able to accommodate 100 people and will be heated and air conditioned for year-round use. It will also have a kitchenette and bathrooms.

The commission also received an update from Branderhorst about the remote-control vehicle racetrack located at Sunkissed Meadows.

Branderhorst noted that the city and the group that runs the RC racetrack have had a year-by-year agreement with the city to have the track at the former Sun-kissed Meadows Golf Course along the Des Moines River. She told the parks and rec commission that she informed the organizers last fall that the agreement would not be renewed this year as the site is part of the riverfront development project with the city and county.

Branderhorst said the site is going to become home to an open park shelter, modern restrooms, more parking and an enhanced boat launch onto the river.