A task force appointed to take up the issue of a community center in Galesburg will work from a $2.5 million soft funding cap.
Director of Parks and Recreation Elizabeth Varner, who is the city’s liaison to the task force, said that funding cap was established because that’s what a majority of the council favors.
That’s in contrast to a majority on the previous council that was in favor of spending upwards of $7 million to transform the former Churchill Junior High School into a community center.
However, if a $1 million appropriation from Democratic U.S. Senator Dick Durbin comes through for the community center, the current funding cap could change.
Fifteen community members were appointed to the task force by the city council members and the mayor. Twelve of those attended the task force’s first meeting Thursday at city hall.
Among them was Grael Mulata, who at age 18 is the youngest person serving on the task force.
Mulata moved to Galesburg around seven years ago and he is now a student at Knox College.
He told TSPR he initially thought of a community center in Galesburg as simply a place to have fun, but discussions at the first task force meeting already opened his mind to what else it could be.
“I want to see a place where young people can learn new stuff and where older people can find a connection. Because some older people are left alone,” Mulata said. “I want this new community center to serve everybody.”
John Polillo was appointed chair of the task force and Tony Franklin was appointed vice-chair. Darla Krecji will serve as secretary.
The task force will ultimately make a recommendation to the council in December on the location, scope, and potential services to be provided at a community center.
At its regular meeting on Monday, the city council will reconsider appraising the Churchill property.
A request to appraise the property – which is still among locations to be considered by the community center task force – was voted down 5-2 earlier this month.
In other community center business Monday, the council will vote on appointing Sharon Custer to the task force in Ward Three.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
