New Community Center Under Consideration in Highland Park
Lexus of Highland Park is excited to hear that there is a new community center possibly coming our way. There have been rumors of a new facility possibly coming to Highland Park and recently there have been serious considerations to back those rumors up. While there are currently other centers around the area for citizens to use, this one will take the place of two already built and make them even better with more services offered and an updated facility.
The community center is supposedly being considered for the area adjacent to the Karger Recreation Center and Firehouse Youth Center on Green Bay Road. Our fellow Highland Park residents know that area well and a new community center would be most welcome.
On Tuesday, the City of Highland Park along with the Park District and the Community Family center released a statement that they are collaborating on the idea of the potential new community center. The building would be developed in support of recreational, educational and family purposes. If at least a portion of the land could be donated by the Park District and the City, it would go a long way into bringing the dream a reality. The rest of the construction would be conducted with emphasis on the collaborative efforts of all entities involved to reduce expenditure and increase savings and cost effectiveness.
There are several agencies on the table to possibly be affiliated with the new community center, including General Counseling Services, Community and Social Services, Pre-Natal Counseling, Individual and Family Support, Early Childhood Education and Children’s Services, Youth After School Services and Comprehensive Senior Services. The combination of all these agencies will drive a powerful outreach to many members of this great community.
The city would own the center and oversee its operation and maintenance and would replace the Karger Center and Firehouse Center. The total cost of creating this center is already estimated to be at least $15.8 million. There will be a fundraising campaign kicked off in the near future in order to help off-set the costs of such an undertaking. The center will be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and will be looking to attain private funds to help offset its costs.
Lexus of Highland Park will keep you informed of ways you can help contribute to this fantastic new community center being built in our neighborhood. Let us know what you want to see in this new community development and be sure to learn more about our community outreach program.