Lake Land College Approves Land Purchase, Approves RAMP Document, Discusses Bond Sale

Lake Land College trustees decided this month to purchase a 30.1 acre tract of land.

The property is located directly adjacent to the north side of the college's main campus at Mattoon. The tract is being acquired from Reggie and Martha Phillips of Charleston for $620,000. The parcel is being used as farm ground.

The trustees also approved the RAMP document to be filed with the State. The document outlines the priority capital improvement projects for the college. The top priority is the Effingham Regional Career Academy, to be built next to the Lake Land Kluthe Center. 15 school districts in the area are working with Lake Land College and the business community to provide a learning opportunity in various career pursuits at the high school as well as adult levels. The ERCA would make training available to students in those districts at one location.

Next on the priority list is a renovation of the Kluthe Center, as well as adding women's locker rooms at the college Field House, and then landscaping improvements.

The Board also accepted an Early Childhood Education Grant from the Illinois Community College Board. The almost $700,000 grant award will help train the early childhood incumbent workforce, provide space for an off-campus childcare facility in Mattoon for weekday care for three to five year olds, and for weekly evening training at the Kluthe Center for child care incumbent workers who work during the day and need to complete their training.

The Board also voted to proceed with the issuance of up to $17 million in bonds. A public hearing on the bond issuance will be held to open the Lake Land board's July meeting.