INDIANOLA — Residents driving by the Indianola Clubhouse may have noticed something a little new — brighter paint, a new entrance, a sturdier foundation and improved landscaping. All can be attributed to a $370,000 remodeling project and the help of Indianola residents who worked hard to raise the money through a series of fund raisers.

They are nearly to the funding goal, but still plan to have the Tour de Duck rubber duckie race again this year after its overwhelming successful start last summer.

“The duck derby is happening again this year, and it will benefit the clubhouse again,” said Indianola Beach Improvement Committee President Bo Blakey. “The clubhouse is largely finished on the exterior. The paint job is done, we’ve got the pavers down and it does look great. I’d say about 99 percent of the residents like the color.”

The interior is still being renovated, with construction on the fireplace and mantel almost completed and new lighting installed. The next step in the project, Blakey said, is the landscaping and forming a seamless relationship between the clubhouse, the nearby Bud Merrill Pavilion, which has also undergone some renovations, and the community.

“The Indianola Garden Club worked with us to put together a plant list for the project,” said Larson Casteel Landscaping Company owner and Indianola resident Laurie Larson. “We had a representative of the community look over the designs with us, and next week we’ll start purchasing plants. We hope to be done mid-July.”

The garden club and Larson agreed mainly on low-maintenance native vegetation, with some ornamental plants included. Environmentally-friendly lights will be installed as a part of the landscaping. A local woodworker is also preparing to build several benches for residents who like to gather outside the clubhouse or the pavilion and socialize, Larson said. The clubhouse has been used for several community events since the remodeling, Blakey said, and residents are happy to have it back.

“We’re back in the swing,” he said.

The IBIC is still working to fund the remainder of the project, which is where the Tour de Duck and other planned fund-raisers come in, but financial concerns have been drastically quelled due to ongoing community support. Pavers located on the front walk were purchased by different community members and sport their names, or the names of family or friends they wish to remember.

“The design was really generated by the community,” Larson said of the local meetings held to work out the remodel. “Residents really helped on this project.”