WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) — Backers have cleared a key fundraising hurdle for a project that would provide new fairgrounds and sports fields in a northeast Iowa community. Consultant Terry Hinrichs had vowed to raise $1 million by the end of 2018 for the Champions Ridge project in Waverly. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that he was still short of his goal on Dec. 31 but gained a pledge that put him over the top in time for Monday night’s City Council meeting. The council voted 5-2 to move forward with the project, which will be built on land the city owns.

Hinrichs hopes to break ground on the 142-acre project by spring. He’s putting together a funding package for excavation and infrastructure — another goal the council placed on the Champions Ridge board.