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Building C officially reopens after renovations

By Elyse Ketter
IV Leader Staff, Oct. 2, 2003

    Building C on the IVCC campus was officially reopened at 9 a.m. Sept. 22, revealing not only a newer, asbestos-free building, but a labor of love of sorts. 
    It took many efforts and quite a few people to get the $6 million Building C project up and running, and state     Sen. Patrick Welch (D-Peru) especially complimented IVCC President Jean Goodnow on her efforts.
Welch joked that Goodnow lobbied lawmakers so effectively that the renovation was needed, that officials almost “shut the school down.”
    Instead, Building C was closed for asbestos removal and heating and cooling ventilation work all of last school year.
    Joe Cipfl, president of the Illinois Community College Board, also commended Goodnow.
    “Jean was relentless in her efforts,” he told the group assembled for the ribbon cutting. “I really do compliment you.” 
    Anthony Rossi, who heads the state’s Capital Development Board which oversaw the construction project, commended all the contractors and architects who helped complete the project in time for the fall semester. Building C project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, according to Rossi.
Although the building was officially reopended Sept. 22, students have been using it since the start of the semester. 
    The official reopening by local politicians, staff and faculty at IVCC, and members of the community, was at the entrance way to the college. State Rep. Frank Mautino, an IVCC alumni and Spring Valley Democrat, said, “It’s a great day, and they’ve done a great job.” 
    He pointed out that the college benefits the entire community and pledged his support to other building projects that IVCC has in its master plan. The college is on a waiting list for funding for a Community Instructional Center that will be built over the front of the Cultural Center and link area.
    Welch noted that as the state economy suffers, more and more people are turning to education.
“As the economy gets bad, students share a new vision that the economy and America is going to get better,” Welch said.
    Cipfl elaborated on how that “vision” has translated into enrollment numbers, not only for IVCC but for community colleges across the state. IVCC experienced a 5 percent jump in enrollment this year, and Cipfl said three out of four people accessing higher education in the state are doing it at a community college.
    Citing the need for economic development in the area, Welch said, “We were very happy to be able to bring money back to Illinois Valley Community College at a time when the state has no money.” 
    After the ribbon cutting ceremony, tours were given to any of those interested in seeing the new building. Changes in the school’s library allowed for a new computer lab, a video room and an extra study area with tables. 
    The only parts of the building still not completed are the the bookstore, which should be moved from the gym to the main building in October, and the cafeteria, where another food vendor — Paizano’s — is scheduled to open within the next few weeks.
    On the same day as the ribbon cutting, Jeremiah Joe Coffee opened in the cafteria. Students were lined up all morning to get their first try of the shop. 
    Cifpl made a statement that really sums up the Building C project and the people that made it possible: “Good things don’t happen by accident: good people make good things happen.”