SHAWNEE COLLEGE MAKING $1.5 MILLION INVESTMENT IN ANNA

8/29/08

Shawnee Community College is making a $1.5 million investment in Anna, creating state-of-the-art classrooms and a fitness center within a new and expanded extension center. "I cannot over emphasize how nice this new center will be," said Dr. Larry Peterson, president of Shawnee Community College. "The investment we are making in Anna is significant, and it exemplifies our commitment to the community."

Last week, Peterson toured construction at the new 19,500 square-foot extension center along with Wesley Wright and Cathy Belcher, members of the Shawnee Community College Board of Trustees. Presently, construction is estimated at about 40 percent complete.

"I think a lot of people are going to be amazed when this center opens," Wright said. "Not only will it be a state-of-the-art facility, but it is going to provide new educational and fitness opportunities for a lot more people."

Belcher said the center would be a great source of community pride. She noted that included in the new center will be 650 square feet of conference center space. "I believe there will be a number of community organizations taking advantage of the conference center, making it the heart and soul for many community events," Belcher said.

Included in the extension center will be 2,112 square feet of space for the fitness center; 11 regular classrooms; two computer labs; four 'Smart' classrooms; one GED classroom; two distance learning classrooms; and more than 1,400 square feet of space for future expansion. The center will also house the Union County Economic Development Corporation.

In addition, the extension center will include wireless Internet access.

The new center will be located at 1150 East Vienna Street, in portion of the former Wal-Mart building. The center will be relocated from a facility on the grounds of the Choate Mental Health Center.

Following a tour Monday, Guy Alongi, chair of the Illinois Community College Board, called the new center 'impressive.'

"This is no small investment," Alongi pointed out. "Shawnee Community College has certainly stepped up its commitment to this community.

Peterson specifically pointed to the board of trustees: "The board of trustees has shown great vision and commitment to students by creating this new extension center," Peterson said. "Along with so many other improvements, the new center will also be more easily accessible, along with better parking."

Mike Fitzgerald, director of the Anna Extension Center, praised the board of trustees and Peterson for making the new facility a reality.

"Everything in the extension center is going to be new," Fitzgerald noted. "New furniture in the classrooms, new fitness equipment; it is going to be something that the entire community, and even surrounding communities, can benefit from."

Peterson added that the College expects the new facility to be open by January at the start of spring semester classes.

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