GENEVA, NE — The Geneva Boys Pond is a gem in southeast Nebraska. Situated in the city limits, it’s complete with a walking bridge, gorgeous willow trees and plenty of fish to catch. But thanks to the local fire department and Natural Resources District, it’s ready for some more improvements.

“We just know it’s been time to redig the pond out," Fire Captain Jeff Wusk said. "The city bought the land and the house to the south so we’re like, now is a great time to dig it out and improve it - maybe even add a fishing dock.”

That’s just some of the plans for the Geneva Boys Pond. The project would grow the pond by 25 percent, add more picnic shelters, walking paths and maybe move the playground from across the street to the pond area.

Wusk says the improved pond would definitely be used by locals.

“If you come down here in the summer at any point in the time of day, there is kids all over the place, there’s people sitting in the picnic shelters over their lunch break," Wusk said. "It gets used a lot.”

Wusk estimates the digging and refilling will cost $40,000.  The firefighters and Wusk’s high school construction class plan to help with some of the labor. The Upper Big Blue NRD decided to chip in $10,000 to help the project.

“For a town the size of Geneva, this is a really nice site," Chairman of the NRD Board Roger Houdersheldt said. "We really encourage that type of endeavor on the part of towns.”

The fire department hopes to have the pond drained by late fall and have the new addition ready to go by the annual fishing tournament in June.

Geneva Fire and Rescue is still accepting donations to help fund the pond renovation.