Friday, September 09, 2005
Closed Grade School Morphed into Community Center
Courtesy of 
LEAF RIVER -- Mark and Andrea Pellini have spent more than 100 hours at the shuttered Leaf River Grade School working with other parents to prepare the building for its new role as a community center.
Residents angered by the school's closing last year opted to turn their frustrations into action.
Forrestville Valley School District officials voted to close the school in March 2004, citing financial concerns for the district. The move displaced about 160 students and staff members who eventually were absorbed into other district schools.
Parents packed School Board meetings to protest the decision, many wearing save-the-school T-shirts and carrying signs. At one point, they tried to sue the School District, but the effort failed.
When the building turned up for sale this year, the village approached the School District with the community center plan in mind. The district complied, selling the building to the village of Leaf River for $1.
"The town had mixed emotions about buying it," Mark Pellini said. "Now that it's been purchased, the community has put a lot of effort into the building and gotten it to a good point."
Parents and residents have spent countless hours cleaning, painting and getting the building in working shape. An eight-member board has been appointed to oversee the center's activities.
The building at 608 Main St. now carries the name River Valley Complex. An open house is set for Saturday.
The building has a big gym, so Pellini said the group wants to lure sports leagues to practice and play there. The Leaf River Lions Club spent about $3,000 on kitchen renovations, meaning the building can host wedding, anniversary, birthday and holiday receptions or family reunions.
Village Hall offices and the Police Department have moved into the building. It has 21 rooms, and about four are completely occupied. Pellini said the board is willing to rent out classroom space for small businesses. He added that interest already has surfaced for that plan.
Weights and other fitness equipment were donated, so the group hopes to one day hold open gym nights two to three times a week for residents. They also envision holding activities like tumbling, cake-decorating or CPR.
The land also includes two baseball diamonds and the school's old football field. Village officials maintain the building's exterior, and volunteers oversee the interior work.
"Our purpose was that it wasn't going to sit there and rot," Pellini said. "It's gonna be used. It's a large complex that we can do a lot with. We see a lot of potential good coming out of it."
The Lions Club hosts a variety/talent show fundraiser for the complex at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the building. If you can't attend Saturday's open house but would like to donate to the cause, call Mark or Andrea Pellini at 815-738-2712.
Phil's Observations
What a great example of a community coming together.
LEAF RIVER -- Mark and Andrea Pellini have spent more than 100 hours at the shuttered Leaf River Grade School working with other parents to prepare the building for its new role as a community center.
Residents angered by the school's closing last year opted to turn their frustrations into action.
Forrestville Valley School District officials voted to close the school in March 2004, citing financial concerns for the district. The move displaced about 160 students and staff members who eventually were absorbed into other district schools.
Parents packed School Board meetings to protest the decision, many wearing save-the-school T-shirts and carrying signs. At one point, they tried to sue the School District, but the effort failed.
When the building turned up for sale this year, the village approached the School District with the community center plan in mind. The district complied, selling the building to the village of Leaf River for $1.
"The town had mixed emotions about buying it," Mark Pellini said. "Now that it's been purchased, the community has put a lot of effort into the building and gotten it to a good point."
Parents and residents have spent countless hours cleaning, painting and getting the building in working shape. An eight-member board has been appointed to oversee the center's activities.
The building at 608 Main St. now carries the name River Valley Complex. An open house is set for Saturday.
The building has a big gym, so Pellini said the group wants to lure sports leagues to practice and play there. The Leaf River Lions Club spent about $3,000 on kitchen renovations, meaning the building can host wedding, anniversary, birthday and holiday receptions or family reunions.
Village Hall offices and the Police Department have moved into the building. It has 21 rooms, and about four are completely occupied. Pellini said the board is willing to rent out classroom space for small businesses. He added that interest already has surfaced for that plan.
Weights and other fitness equipment were donated, so the group hopes to one day hold open gym nights two to three times a week for residents. They also envision holding activities like tumbling, cake-decorating or CPR.
The land also includes two baseball diamonds and the school's old football field. Village officials maintain the building's exterior, and volunteers oversee the interior work.
"Our purpose was that it wasn't going to sit there and rot," Pellini said. "It's gonna be used. It's a large complex that we can do a lot with. We see a lot of potential good coming out of it."
The Lions Club hosts a variety/talent show fundraiser for the complex at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the building. If you can't attend Saturday's open house but would like to donate to the cause, call Mark or Andrea Pellini at 815-738-2712.
Phil's Observations
What a great example of a community coming together.
Kicknit 9/09/2005