CSC explains plans for proposed Charger Center

Facing south on Buchanan Street/ Rt. 136, this is the proposed layout for the CSSC Charger Center.

Preliminary plans for a Charger Community Center have begun to put a dream into action.

In June Tom Schmidt, president of Carl Sandburg College, announced plans of a partnership working to build a performing arts, fitness/athletic center on property owned by Prairieland Investment Group, which was the former Carthage College.

The project would make use of the existing Bryan Auditorium and construct an attached gymnasium and fitness building.

“The quote from Carl Sandburg himself is, ‘Nothing happens, but first a dream,'” said John Huston of Carthage, Carl Sandburg board member.

“We articulated that dream. Now we have graphics and responsible estimates of the construction costs. We are pursuing the dream,” Schmidt said. He was in Carthage Thursday evening for a meeting of the college board held at the CSC Education Commons in Carthage.

Schmidt explained that two years ago at a retreat, the Carl Sandburg College board reaffirmed its commitment of pursuing partnerships with groups in the district.

“We pursued a partnership with the Prairieland Investment Group after they purchased the college. Nothing has changed hands, but I can say they are heartily onboard with the concept, and we spent quality time with other potential partners before going public,” Schmidt said.

Huston said all the partners are positive about the idea.

“No one, as a group or individual, has been negative. You eventually have these partners realize that the value to them will far exceed what they are putting in to it. We hope, as they look at the alternatives, it is the best option,” Huston said.

These other partners include the City of Carthage, the Carthage Park District in their affiliation with the Carthage Family Fitness, Illini West High School, Carthage Elementary School district and Western Illinois Economic Development Authority (WIEDA).

“Along with this we need a commitment from the members of the Hancock County community incorporated into this dream,” Schmidt said.

This idea is similar to the agreement between Carthage schools and Carl Sandburg College formed about 10 years ago when the education commons building was built.

“At that time Carl Sandburg fronted the money for the building, and used the lease agreements with the schools for their use of the building as collateral for the loan,” Schmidt said. “In this case none of these partners has enough of a need to create the facility on its own, but each has an ongoing, infrequent need for use of one or more parts of the dream.”

Plans include renovation of the auditorium and changing the entrance to a common shared area to the adjacent facilities. The two story classroom building, on the west side of the auditorium, known as Douglas Center, would be razed to make room for the gymnasium and fitness center. An area common to both facilities would connect the auditorium with the new construction.

Uses of the facility would include home athletic events of Carl Sandburg College and expanded performing arts curriculum and other events for the college. Carl Sandburg College offers a two-year associate degree in performing arts that can expand to a bachelors degree through the transfer agreement with Western Illinois University, Schmidt noted.

Other uses include athletic and performing arts events for Illini West High School and Carthage Elementary School; a more permanent home and facilities for the Carthage Family Fitness; conferences and fitness activities for employees and guests of Carthage Vet Center and Professional Swine Management; and other performing arts events, meetings and fitness activities in the community.

“We have one building with three primary functions all under one roof,” Schmidt said. “I do not anticipate much change to the look of the auditorium. We would have sensitivity to blend the new construction with what is already there, although it would not necessarily be made of brick.”

Preliminary estimates of the cost total $8.6 million on the low end to $9.4 million. Renovation of the auditorium would be $2.1 to $2.3 million.

“The cost of the rejuvenation looks high, but it would be much more to build a new auditorium from scratch,” Schmidt said. That work includes upgrades to the main floor and balcony, replacing seating, upgrading finishes, new restroom facilities, upgrading the stage, replacing heating and air-conditioning, upgrading electrical systems, and adding new fire protection.

“We anticipate a multi-pronged approach to funding,” Schmidt said. Low interest bonding from WIEDA is a possibility with private contributions, grants and eventual lease payments from project partners providing funds to repay the bonds. Pulling together the money from public and private sources takes time.

“We have a history of not letting time and money get in our way,” Schmidt said. “From the time we have the money, it could be 12 to 15 months from bidding until we could use the building.”

“There would also be a need for our community to step forward and help with the project,” Huston said.

Schmidt proposed that Prairieland Investment Group donate the auditorium building to Carl Sandburg College who would then, as owner of the building, become accountable for overseeing its construction, operation and scheduling.

For more information, contact Schmidt at 309/341-5213 or tschmidt@sandburg.edu.