New master plan in action, Repaving of campus roads first phase
By Lori L. Nimke
IV Leader Staff
A new master plan for Illinois Valley Community College has
taken effect. The comprehensive plan for the college's future includes repaving
roads which is expected to begin this Spring.
The master plan is updated approximately every five years and
has several stages. With the previous plan completed, the college is moving
forward with the newest plan.
Jerry Corcoran, vice president of business services and
finance said, "The roads are the first impression one has on entering the
college, we have patched for a number of years and now it is necessary to
repave."
Local monies will fund the project at an estimate of $200,000
to $300,000. While the parking lots will not be effected, all the roadways on
campus will be repaved, eliminating pesky pot hole problems.
The repaving of the East campus parking will also take place.
Along with the repaving will come a paved skill path for the truck driving
school and a much needed building which will include classrooms and restrooms
for their students and instructors.
The East Campus project is estimated at $1 million. The
financing will be done through the Capital Renewal Funds, government funds which
can be used to improve on existing structures, which will provide $800,000. That
leaves local funds at $200,000.
As soon as the state releases the funds, this will be a
priority, though there is no start date for this project.
Corcoran noted that at this point in time it can be a
challenge in patience, keeping a positive outlook toward the future and
"balancing what needs to be done now." Corcoran also recently gave the
okay for purchasing gravel to be placed in the truck driver's skill path area
due to the extremely soft drive caused by use and the rather mild January.
In order to receive state funding for such projects as listed
above, IVCC had to take part in an approval process by the state and then was
placed on a ranked list for funding. IVCC has been approved along with 54 other
community colleges. The college is currently ranked 11, and due to the state
budget has been in this position for a couple of years.
At a future date the college will be closer to the No. 1
position and to receiving state funding for the remainder of the projects in the
master plan. At that time, the state will pay 75 percent of the total costs and
the local costs will be at 25 percent.
Master plan projects dependent on state funding include the building of a
Technology and Work Force Development Center and a Community Instruction Center.
The Technology and Work Force Development Center building
will include such departments as Horticulture, Welding, Massage Therapy and
Agriculture, just to name a few. The Technology and Work Force Development
Center will focus on students in more hands-on programs and those wanting to
quickly train and seek employment.
Estimated at a cost of $17 million, the building will measure
approximately 66,000 square feet. This will be located closer to the main campus
than many of these programs’ current location on the East Campus. This future
development was approved in 2001 but not yet funded.
The last item in the master plan is the building of a
Community Instruction Center with a cost projection of $27 million and a
building at approximately 104,000 square feet. It will house Admission and
Records, Enrollment, Financial Aid, the Bookstore, Continuing Education, Small
Business and Development, the Assessment Center and other areas as well. The
Community Instruction Center will be a hub of informational services, making it
easier to utilize and more productive for all students, Corcoran said.