Durbin Statement on East Side Community Center

Statement

Durbin Statement on East Side Community Center

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the proposed East Side Community Center in Springfield:

"Despite four years of effort, the East Side Community Center has not generated the kind of broad-based financial support from the community that is needed to make the project a success. While there has always been widespread excitement about the concept of the community center, it's proven to be difficult in these tough economic times to gather the outside financial support we always knew would be necessary to take the project to the next level.

"Without the necessary outside support, we stand to lose the federal funding I was able to secure for the Springfield in 2005 and 2007, which is why I've decided to set aside the funding for another very worthy community project.

"When construction is complete, the Edwin Watts Southwind Park will be a regional destination for children and adults with disabilities, with every single aspect of the park fully handicap-accessible. The park will include everything from a large playground, with ramps offering access to every element, to the sensory garden, which will highlight all five senses, and the fully-accessible tree house. The park will be a great asset to the community as a whole, and it will offer a whole new world of enjoyment to the children with disabilities whose neighborhood parks weren't built specifically with their needs in mind.

"The concept of a quality facility for kids and families on the east side of the city is one that I look forward to supporting in the future, when the community has gathered the kind of broad-based financial support needed to make such a project a success."

In fiscal year 2005, Senator Durbin secured $750,000 for the East Side Community Center in Springfield. Another $200,000 was designated for the project in fiscal year 2008.

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