After two-and-a-half years and “quite a few roadblocks,” the Ames Area Amateur Astronomers are going to bring onlookers closer to the stars.

According to Ed Engle, president of the AAAA, an amateur observatory is slated for construction in McFarland Park later this year.

“We had an observatory for 10 or 11 years at that site. It used a converted silo roof for the dome,” Engle said. “It was showing its age and not very convenient to use.”

The AAAA is known for its public star-parties as well as its activities for kids. Approximately two years ago, the club decided to construct a new observatory which would provide better access for everyone.

However, Engle said, things have not progressed as smoothly as the club would have liked. After removing the old observatory, the club discovered it needed a building and zoning permit to proceed with the construction.

“It was kind of naive on our part that we thought since we were simply rebuilding, it was already approved,” he said.

The club had to get the approval of several boards, including the greenbelt and zoning boards. During that time, the person who owned the land across from the observatory site put in a complaint against the building since he was interested in developing the land.

The entire process took more than a year, Engle said.

Yet another roadblock was discovered with the building plans.

After obtaining approval, Engle said several club members expressed concern that no members had the needed expertise to create the plans.

“We decided to go with a professional engineer,” Engle said. “We wanted two designs to chose from so the club could vote on which one they liked best.”

The AAAA members found an engineer who was willing to donate his services to the club at no cost, Engle said. However, the engineer received a large job at the last minute which has kept him busy.

Engle said one plan is done but members are still waiting on the other.

“We are in the conundrum of finding another plan so the club can vote on it,” he said. “All of the funding is in place, and we have a contractor lined up to do the concrete work.”

Engle said the goal is to have the foundation done by the end of the month. He said the group doesn’t expect the rest of the project to take much longer.

“We’re desperate to have it done this year because we have a star-party every month,” he said, “and we do it for a lot groups, Cub Scouts and church groups and school groups.”

Club members have been providing their own personal telescopes for use during the public star-parties or during a private showing.