The impetus for the project started 6 years ago when a committee of which I was a member conducted a survey on the desirability of a community center. The results were positive. Indications are that people do want a community center and the main objective is to have an indoor swimming pool.

The next phase in the project started when the funds from the sale of the Lida and Simater Homes to Heritage Manor were put back into a trust fund. A new committee was formed consisting of members of the Lida Nursing Home board plus some new members to pursue the possibility of building a community center with these funds.

The objective of building a community center is certainly desirable. It will invigorate the community and help Minonk attract new businesses and residences. The members of the New Millennia Committee have worked hard at coming up with the proposal and are dedicated to coming up with the best possible building with the funds that are available. The committee is planning to present the planned community center to the public in July.

The proposed building is estimated to cost $2,500,000 and estimated annual operating costs are $350,000. There are sufficient funds to construct the building. However, to operate the center will require another source of funds. The committee is suggesting that the tax funds from a park district is the best way to go. Therefore, you can expect a referendum on a park district next spring.

A park district seems to be the logical answer to help fund the operating costs. Minonk is one of the few communities that do not have a park district. People will always object to having more taxes levied. The estimated tax increase would be about $30 a year on a $75,000 home. It is estimated that the increased tax on farmland would be over $1 an acre.

We as a community have to decide if we are willing to finance the operations of the community center. We know there are no free lunches. We can all chip in a little and do a lot collectively or we can just do nothing.

Generally, the building provides all of the needs of this community and the layout is good. My only concern is the outward appearance. I feel that it is important that the building be aesthetically pleasing and is something that our community can take pride in. For this reason I feel that the building should not be constructed of metal. As proposed it would look more like an industrial building rather than a public building. A Farnsworth Group architect estimated that it would cost another $250,00 to brick veneer the structure. However, I feel that it may be done for less than that. Perhaps, $150,000.

My suggestion is that some features be eliminated in order to add the brick veneer. Since Minonk already has a gymnasium at the high school, I suggest that the gymnasium be replaced with a banquet room, which was a high priority in the original survey and would not require as much space. Eliminating the walking track and the associated elevator would also reduce the costs considerably. We still could use the outdoor walking and jogging path.

Our community is very fortunate in having the proceeds of the Esther Simater Dye estate at our disposal for public use. Mrs. Dye built a beautiful brick house on East Fourth Street. It is only fitting that the community center building be built in a style that is befitting of her character and taste. It is important that we put up a building that reflects the high archictectural standards of Minonk's superb public buildings such as the Filger Library, the Minonk Grade School and High School and also its beautiful churches.

Members of the community center committee are to be commended for their dedication to this project. I hope they view this editorial as constructive and helpful and I hope that the public gives their support to the community center project.

Below this article you can click to go view the floor plans and the architectural rendering of the proposed community center. There will be a link to the community center project on the main menu of this web site. I urge you to review the plans and send in your comments on the proposal.

To view the proposed community center plans, Click here.