Benefit to aid Brainerd overhaul

Supporters of a plan to turn a long-closed Libertyville school building into a community center hope to raise money for the multimillion-dollar project in November.

A dinner, dance and silent auction are among the activities planned for the formal event, set for Nov. 9 at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville.

It will benefit the Brainerd Preservation Committee and its effort to breathe new life into the former Brainerd building, which for decades was a Libertyville High School campus.

The festivities, which are open to the public, are being organized by the Libertyville Junior Women's Foundation on behalf of the Brainerd Preservation Committee.

"(The Brainerd campus) is right here in Libertyville, and our club's purpose is to make a difference in the community," said Karin Stouffer, chairwoman of the foundation committee. "I think the members felt this was the perfect match."

The Brainerd building, which is on Route 176 west of Milwaukee Avenue, opened in 1917 and an adjoining gym was added in 1929. It was last used for academics in 1999.

The buildings were closed in 2004 because of safety and accessibility concerns.

School officials talked about razing the buildings but village leaders insisted the structures are too important to the town to demolish.

Last year, the Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 board and the village board agreed to a lease that will allow the privately run preservation committee to restore the buildings and open a community center on the site.

A full restoration could cost $10 million to $15 million, proponents have said.

Waiter Oakley, president of the Brainerd Community Center board of directors, is glad to have the support of the women's club.

"It's really a breath of fresh air (that) shows you're doing the right thing," Oakley said.

The benefit is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 and must be purchased in advance through the Brainerd group's Web site, www.brainerdcenter.org.