email this
print this
Share
BY MATTHEW OLSON
molson@kenoshanews.com

The Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha and Carthage College both advanced plans for new central buildings on Thursday.

The City Plan Commission reviewed the concept plan for a community center for the Boys and Girls Club at the northeast corner of 14th Avenue and 52nd Street on Thursday night.

Advertisement

The nearly 80,000-square foot-building would replace the two current Boys and Girls Club sites — 1715 52nd St. and the Madrigrano Center at 3712 50th St. — and serve as a gathering place for area youths and house several community organizations.

Wally Graffen, chief executive officer for the Boys and Girls Club, said the facility will showcase a variety of features, including:

n Sports facilities.

The building includes space for an indoor soccer field and two full-size basketball courts, which can also be converted into four smaller courts.

“Soccer is a growing sport for all populations,” Graffen said. “And currently we are very limited in gym space.”

Future plans for the outside of the building include the presence of some type of sport field as well.

n A teen center with a fitness space, computer lab and a drama center that includes a stage. Graffen said the Boys and Girls Club will be seeking input from area teens about what will be a part of the center.n A youth center for 6-12 year old children featuring a game room, computer lab and art spacen Space for community groups. The Spanish Center has already signed on and Graffen said three other organizations are close to finalizing their involvement. Community organizations will also use the youth-based areas when children are in school.n An outpost for the Kenosha Police Departmentn Several multi-purpose rooms for community events and space for meal programs

For security purposes, the building will also have only one main entrance and check-in area.

Plan Commission members were encouraged by the early plans.

“I think it is a great-looking building,” Tim Mahone said.

Commission members also inquired about the lighting at the site, access for city buses and parking at the facility.

The project still requires approval for rezoning and a conditional use permit before beginning construction. Work on the site is expected to start next May and the building could be occupied by June 2011.

The city has donated $5 million towards the project and the Boys and Girls Club is working to raise an additional $8 million. The city is also receiving the Boys and Girls Club current properties in exchange for the city-owned land for the new site.

Also on Thursday, the City Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit for a new student center at Carthage College.

The 55,973 square foot center would involve the renovation of a vacant aquatic center east of the school’s football field.

The proposed building would feature a bookstore, four food retailers, a student lounge and a 200-seat auditorium. The renovation would also add a 1,700-seat grandstand and press box overlooking the football field that would be attached to the student center.

“It’s a transformative project for the center of campus,” Ray Maggi, project manager for the renovation, said.

The commission unanimously approved the conditional use permit. Construction is expected to begin in March and the center should be open by the fall of 2011.

The commission also unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the fifth 78-unit residence as part of the Oaks at Carthage College development. One more building is planned as part of that development.