The future of the Storm Lake Marina remains uncertain as the Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors and the county conservation board remain at odds over how to use the lakefront property.
The two entities clashed at the weekly board of supervisors meeting Tuesday morning over competing visions for the site, which is expected to be deeded to the county by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in the coming months.
Supervisor Kathy Croker favors restoring the lakefront building to its former role as a public gathering space—similar to when Buoy’s Bar & Grill operated there under city management. Conservation Director Greg Johnson wants to convert the site into a nature center and office space for his department, which currently operates out of Buena Vista County Park, nearly 30 miles away.
A recent public survey conducted by a marina subcommittee showed strong support for Croker’s position: 80% of respondents preferred using the building for public events and community education. Only 20% backed the conservation board’s proposal for offices and environmental programming.
Croker says the public’s message is clear.
Johnson argued the site could serve dual purposes—hosting events while also providing much-needed workspace for staff. He said a modest expansion would be more cost-effective than building new facilities elsewhere.
Croker pushed back, saying the county shouldn’t ask taxpayers to fund an addition.
The marina has faced years of delays since the City of Storm Lake returned it to the state during the pandemic. Ownership remains in limbo as the county finalizes a property abstract for state review.
No formal decision was made Tuesday, and the marina’s future remains unresolved. The conservation board continues to maintain the site, including recent repairs and a bait shop funded by federal ARPA dollars.
