By Michael J. Liccar
During a special town meeting on May 14, the township electors (registered voters of Crete Township who attend the meeting) voted 109 (69 percent) to 49 (31 percent) to authorize the Crete Township Board to purchase the Sertoma Star property, 25930 S. Cottage Grove Avenue in Crete, for the purpose of establishing it as the new Crete Township Community Center.
The property legally was acquired on October 3, at a purchase price of $1,300,000. With the ARPA grant of $822,000 awarded to the township through Will County, the net cost to Crete Township was approximately $478,000. Using their existing Capital Improvement Fund, the township was able to acquire the property for cash and continues to have no debt.
The Sertoma Star building originally cost approximately $5 million to build. As the going rate for new construction is approximately $375/square foot, it would cost more than $11 million to build something similar today.
The building was built in 2009 (15 years old) and includes a 32,000-square-foot building on approximately 15 acres (five of which are wetlands), a pond, and exterior lighting and improved parking lot. The building has multiple meeting rooms and a large “workshop” area, with storage space and a loading dock.
It is intended the Community Center building will focus on new programs for seniors, youth, and families, including social, recreational, arts, cultural, and educational activities. The large workshop area could be improved as a multi-function sports, concert, and special event space. The outdoor space has the potential for walking paths, a fishing pond, splash pads, and outdoor sports/concerts.
After purchase of the property, the Township Capital Improvement Fund still has a balance of approximately $500,000, to be used towards initial operations and development of the property.
Crete Township formed a Community Center Planning Committee, which is comprised of various area governmental units, civic organizations, and community leaders, to provide initial ideas and guidance for the development of the community center and future programming.
Many ideas for the Community Center are being considered, including a: Seniors Social Club, recreational, arts, cultural, language and educational programs, intramural sports, community art studio, crafts, job training, mentoring program, a “School of Rock” type musical instruction program for young people, commercial kitchen and cooking classes, historical displays and re-enactments, walking trails, fishing pond, outdoor concert pavilion, and possibly a community choir and theater program, among others.
As in the past, the township board will endeavor to keep costs low, as well as follow its usual “pay as you go” financial policy and to avoid debt whenever possible. For the 2024 tax levy, the township board limited the town fund increase to a minimal .0025 (0.25 percent), which is much less than the 2023 CPI Inflation Index of 3.4 percent. We continue our efforts to keep expenses in check and town fund property taxes as low as possible.
Being a totally new concept, it will take some time for planning and implementation to be completed, and our progress will be subject to time constraints and available funding. There will be many opportunities for volunteers. If you are interested, please contact me at michael.liccar@cretetownship.com, any of our township board members, or the township offices at 708-672-8279.
We are grateful to the electors – who supported moving forward with the Community Center, the Will County Board – who approved our ARPA grant application, our fellow governmental units and civic and non-profit organizations – who are working together with us to develop programming and, of course, the residents – who make Crete Township a truly unique and charming place to live.
The Crete Township Community Center provides new opportunities to enhance our quality of life, both now and for future generations.