The Galesburg city council approved a one-time $266,941 grant to help All-Star Sports Academy of Western Illinois purchase its building and continue operating it as a community center for local youth.
The funding will allow the non-profit All-Stars Sports Academy to acquire the Skate Palace property at 1855 E. Knox St. and pay off loans tied to previous improvements.
In return, the academy must provide free youth enrichment activities for at least 20 hours per week and for a minimum of five years.
“We’re not just a skating rink. We are a youth community center. We are a place, a safe haven for kids to come,” said founder and owner Michael Spinks.
He told the council the grant is taking care of a “great burden.”
“This isn't Mike Spinks getting money,” he said. “This is paying off debts that have occurred and are still in the red. But I'm still going to do this because I believe in my town. I believe what I've been doing every morning I wake up. I want a place for these kids to go.”
Spinks also addressed questions about transportation to the property. He said once he gets more out of debt, he plans to implement a plan to pick up youth and bring them to the facility.
“It doesn’t matter what side of town they’re on. We’ll still pick them up,” Spinks said.
The grant funds come from general obligation bonds authorized by the council in 2023 and designated for a community center that would be operated by the city. But after the community center project stalled due to opposition on the council, the bond funds have been redirected to other projects.
Half of the $5 million in bonds designated for the community center went to road resurfacing projects. Last year, the council approved a $900,000 grant from the bond funds to YMCA of Knox County to build a childcare center and remodel space for a teen room.
Council members in attendance approved the grant agreement with All-Stars Sports Academy on a 3-0 vote, with Steve Cheesman, Wendel Hunigan, and Greg Saul voting in favor. Council members Heather Acerra and Dwight White abstained.
City Manager Eric Hanson said the grant to All-Stars Sports Academy allows for the expansion of youth-focused programming without the city assuming any long-term costs.
The agreement includes accountability measures secured by a promissory note, mortgage, and personal guarantee. The debt will be forgiven if all operational, maintenance, and reporting requirements are met over the five-year term.
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