Lincoln Trail College
This is a facility that will enhance the quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds in our community.
ABOVE LEFT: CCRC worker Abbigail Shalhout works with two children in the child watch area. ABOVE RIGHT: A row of cardio
equipment awaits visitors to the CCRC days before it opened to the public.
He says the seed for this was first planted when the United Way held a series of community focus groups that asked the citizens of Crawford County questions like “what do you want the community to be?” and “where do we want to go?” The CCRC Board raised money for the project, includ - ing gifts from corporate partners like Marathon, Hershey, Lincolnland Agri-Energy, and Crawford Memorial Hospital along with organizations like the United Way, the Crawford County Development Association, and the Lincoln Trail College Foundation. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges also helped with a contribution to the project and they will oversee the construction. “I really appreciate the Crawford County Recreation Center board,” said Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees Chairman Gary Carter. “They have done so much legwork on this project. They have been out knocking on doors, putting plans together, dream- ing together and doing all kinds of activities. And they have really are the ones that really made this work. I and the Illinois Eastern Community College Board, appre- ciate your group so much for wanting to partner with us. We’re here to help to make your community better. And we’re glad that you partnered with us in order to try to accomplish that goal. I’m excited about what I see. I was excited the first time I saw the plans. I think this is going to be an excellent place.”
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Ryan Gower says this is just one more way to make Lincoln Trail College a hub of activities in Crawford County. He says that started with the addition of Statesmen Park and continued with the construction of Lackey Music Hall. “We want Lincoln Trail to be the hub for everything that is education and everything that is an enrichment to the quality of life.” Gower also believes that the Crawford County Recreation Center will have an impact on the growth of the College. “In order for our colleges to grow, we are going to have to have the capacity to reach outside of District 529 to actively fight outmigration. The Indiana border is just a stone’s throw away from us, and educational institutions can be a powerful tool to stop outmigration, to bring new talent in for other areas. But college students, particularly those who are not resi- dents of District 529, are not just looking for excellent educational programs. They need to see a campus where they can study and where they can live.”
Forward Together 21
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