Financing a Reiman Gardens expansion project is one reason why the city of Ames and Iowa State are trying to get Vision Iowa funding.

Vision Iowa was established by the Iowa legislature in order to provide financial support to build quality of life attractions that draw people to the state, said Vision Iowa program coordinator Susan Judkins.

Several Iowa communities have submitted applications for Vision Iowa funding since last December, Judkins said.

Ames submitted its proposal on May 15 and can expect to hear whether it is accepted within four to six months.

The city of Ames partnered with Iowa State to receive funding for three projects.

Ames Parks and Recreation director Nancy Carroll said Ames’ $21 million proposal to the Vision Iowa board has been put on hold and is still in the reviewing process.

Carroll said the projects include building a wellness and aquatic complex, expanding Reiman Gardens, and acquiring Hallet’s Quarry to create a nature preserve.

Judkins said the program projects cost a minimum of $20 million and should attract people at regional, state and national levels.

Projects must also relate to entertainment or culture, Judkins said.

“The board thinks about many things such as region . and if they will have an economic impact,” she said.

Judkins said another program within Vision Iowa is the Community Attraction and Tourism program.

“CAT programs cost less and have no minimum project size, but they will not attract as many people from longer distances,” she said.

The tourism program is awarded $12.5 million per year., in which $1.2 million is used for marketing purposes, she said.

The remaining $11.3 million is then divided among the approved projects.

“Part or all of Ames’ proposal could be considered under the CAT program, though it is not definite,” Judkins said.

Vice chairperson of the Vision Iowa board Dianne Dethmers Paca said Ames is still in the first of five approval steps since its proposal submission.

A team from the Department of Economics must go through every bit of the grant to see that it meets all of the Iowa Code passed through Vision Iowa, Paca said.

“The staff answers questions that say yes or no for what criteria are met,” she said. “If there are any questions about the grant, then it is put on hold.”

Paca said Ames is on hold because it partnered with Iowa State, which is a land-grant university that receives federal funding.

The board must consider issues related to providing state dollars to a federally funded organization, Paca said.

Carroll said Ames will have to step back and assess the situation if Vision Iowa does not approve its proposal.