Township Board Reconsiders Name of New Facility

Lemont Township officials discussed Monday possible names for their new community center, formerly referred to as Unity House.

At the monthly meeting of the board of trustees, Lemont Township Supervisor Steve Rosendahl opened the floor to suggestions on naming the facility, which is being constructed in the Heritage Woodland Sanctuary just north of 127th Street.

"Early on, this project got tabbed as Unity House, but I know this board has had some differences in opinions," Rosendahl said. "I think it's time to have a discussion."

The board originally decided on the name Unity House after receiving a $500,000 donation from the Citgo Refinery in Lemont and a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to fund the $2.3 million project.

Taking into account the basic purpose of the facility, which includes both a 1,200 square-foot educational interpretive center and 4,500 square-foot hall for special events, Rosendahl suggested the board simply call it Lemont Township Community Center.

"I truly believe this is a community center and that it belongs to the community," he explained.

Some board members discussed incorporating the words "nature" or "prairie" into the name, given the facility's location. Township Assessor Kenneth Jacobowski suggested Community Nature Center.

Across the board, officials agreed that the words "Lemont" and "Community" should be included.

Trustee Tim Garvey dismissed the idea of naming the facility after someone in the community, citing the fact that the very building the township uses for meetings (Lemont Township Senior Center, 1115 Warner Ave.) is no longer referred to by its former name, the Witkoski Center.

"I don't see the point in putting someone's name on it, because in 20 years, a new board is just going to come in and change it," he said.

Township officials also discussed Monday the possibility of taking out a loan for the remainder of construction costs, despite having "healthy reserves."

"We don't want to spend every dime of cash we have for the building," Rosendahl said. "We've been fiscally responsible as a township, and this is a way for us to complete construction without an additional burden on the taxpayers.

The loan would cover the township if there is some delay in receiving the second installment of Cook County property taxes, Rosendahl added.

The community center is expected to be completed sometime in mid-to-late November.