Treynor Sports Complex

Jon Jacobson and Lee Rankin spoke at the Treynor Optimist Club meeting this week.  Jon spoke about feasible methods to raise funding for building a swimming pool in Treynor.  He estimates that building a pool would cost $750,000 to $1,000,000.  One way to raise money would be to look for ways to qualify for matching funds from a foundation.  For example, it might be possible for a group like the Treynor Recreation Association (TRA) to donate their land to a new 501(c)3 charity foundation and find another foundation that would make a matching grant.

Lee Rankin said that when he started law practice five years ago, the Omaha Community Foundation was the only community foundation in the area.  Now there is also a Pottawattamie County Foundation and the Treynor State Bank Community Foundation.  The exciting thing about donating to a community foundation is that the donation is tax deductable and the donor receives another 20% back on taxes through the Endow Iowa Credit.  Therefore, someone in a high tax bracket could receive federal and state tax deductions of over 40% and an additional Iowa tax credit of 20%.  A donation of $1000 could cost the donor only $400.

The first steps in development of a sports park and pool would be to identify a location and perform a feasibility study.  Options for funding the project need to be explored; keeping in mind that additional funding will be required for yearly upkeep and maintenance.