 |
|
|
|
|
| 3/24/2008 2:55:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Backers of saving historic gym rally, raise funds for legal action
By TOM COMPTON
Daily News
"Can I borrow a pen? And, who do I make my check out to?" were the questions asked by a woman after hearing a plea for funds to help save the former Robinson High School gym from demolition.
More than 50 concerned citizens attended the meeting Thursday night at the Robinson Community Center to gather support for a legal injunction to stop the demolition of the historic landmark, scheduled for this summer. And more than enough money was raised at the meeting to pursue the injunction.
Rodney Bond, an RHS alumnus and lifelong local resident, organized the meeting. Bond said he believes the present school board has ignored the voice of the community and legal action is the only option to save the fieldhouse.
Bond said he has been in contact with an area attorney, and the estimated legal costs involved in getting an injunction and for follow-up proceedings range from $1,500 to $15,000. At the meeting, Bond was asking for at least $1,500 in support to file an injunction to immediately stop the demolition process until a hearing can be held to determine whether or not the community has the right to try to save the National Register of Historic Places structure.
In his presentation, Bond said the building was built by the "greatest generation" before they went off to war. "It is a monument to them," He said.
Bond also outlined the history of the effort to renovate the building as a community recreation center, which started in 2003. He referred to a survey commissioned by Marathon, then a major funding partner in the effort, that showed 61 percent of the people were in favor of a recreation center and using the old fieldhouse was a viable option. Marathon pledged $600,000, the largest single donation ever made by the company, toward the project.
However, the Unit 2 board issued an ultimatum to the Crawford County Health, Fitness and Recreation Association for taking ownership of the building and when its deadline was not met, it moved ahead on a 5-2 vote with demolition plans.
Supporters of saving the gym have presented the board with more than 1,600 signatures of people saying the building should be saved, but Bond said the Unit 2 board has "snubbed the voice of the community."
He said he believes a small group is behind the push for demolition, and that legal action is the only way to stop it.
The school board has countered that the delay in tearing down the fieldhouse has raised the cost of demolition to around $698,440, which would include asbestos and lead abatements. The use of Life Safety money was requested from the state to pay for the demolition, but the law prohibits the state from giving money directly that would be used to destroy a National Register site. Instead, the district now plans to borrow money to pay for the demolition and repay the loan out of general funds - as Bond and others pointed out, "your tax money."
A plan presented by architect Greg Hill, a 1993 RHS graduate, to save the fieldhouse recommends having an organization lease the building from the school district for a 10-year period, relieving it of maintenance and liability obligations. Basic repairs to the building's roof could then be made and the building sealed until a formal plan and funding could be secured. If nothing is accomplished after the 10 years, then the school district would be free to tear down the building.
Bond said they have no specific plans for the build at this time, but referred to an estimated $1.16 million renovation plan drawn up for CCHFRA by Terry Bradbury, another RHS alumnus who is an architect. Other plans suggest using the building as an auditorium for concerts and plays. It was pointed out that the RHS spring musical was held at Lincoln Trail College this year instead of the new high school's cafeteria.
"The building is a teaching tool," Dorothy Fish said. "It was constructed at a time of economic crisis. It is our history."
Fish also pointed out that recreation does not always mean "bouncing balls." "It can mean concerts, bridge tournaments, and pool tables," she said.
Another audience member said she has school-age children who are involved in non-school sports activities, and she never knows what gym they will be practicing in because of school activities taking priority.
"There is a necessity for another gym," she said.
When asked about support from state or federal agencies or not-for-profit organizations, Bond said, "I believe if we get a footing, there will be support."
After the unidentified woman was loaned a pen, she wrote out her check which, added to several other checks and cash donated at the meeting, totaled $2,285. Bond said he would get in contact with an attorney next week about filing the injunction.
Anyone wanting to add their support to the meeting can make donations to: Save RTHS Auditorium-Gymnasium (SRTHS AG), P. O. Box 8514, Robinson, IL 62454.
Bond also would encourage anyone interested in saving the building to attend the next school board meeting scheduled for Monday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at the unit office.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
