January 2010 Special Board Meeting Report

The Illinois Valley Community College board took another step toward the construction of its $25 million Community Technology Center at a special meeting Wednesday.

Project architects Dominic Demonica and Paul Basalay received board feedback on schematic designs of the exterior of the now 77,200-square-foot building. Though the square footage may end up 1,200-square-feet larger than the plan previously approved by the board, Demonica said the plan will serve all programs going into the building and the additional cost will be minimal.

The board indicated its preference for parts of two of the designs presented. The designs will provide "a building filled with light" that is "punctuated with a mass at the east entrance that is similar to the existing building’s roofs," Demonica said.

While respecting the architecture of the existing buildings, "there is no question this is a new building, something exciting and unique," he added.

The design also provides a "massive front door" to the campus and the east entrance is just 44-feet from the new Lot 7 parking lot.

The architects will present final schematic designs to the board for approval Feb. 25 and then proceed to design development, said Basalay. The college hopes to break ground in the spring of 2011 and have the building completed by the fall of 2012, said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran.

"I want our students, faculty, staff and the community at large to be proud of the end result, and based on what we saw tonight I am confident they will be," said Corcoran.

Basalay also presented schematic designs for the east campus including additions to the automotive and welding programs that will take place after the CTC construction.

In other business, board chair Dennis Thompson appointed trustees Larry Huffman and Melissa Olivero to head a Child Care Advisory Committee. The committee will also include Vice President for Learning and Student Development Rick Pearce and program coordinator Diane Christianson.

"We need to explore all our options and take the next steps while assuring everyone we are committed to the Early Childhood Education program," said Thompson. The committee will report on its progress at the February meeting.