Funds trickling in for Brainerd rehab

The deadline is four years away, but Libertyville officials are antsy about the campaign to transform a deteriorating local landmark into a community center.

Concerned that the foundation formed to pursue a renovation project of up to $15 million for the Brainerd building and Jackson Gym had raised little cash the past year, Mayor Jeff Harger recently called for a progress report.

"A year has gone by without a lot of fundraising going on," Harger said. "We're just making sure they're staying focused and proceeding diligently."

Since that discussion two weeks ago, the foundation's checking account has grown substantially. A fundraiser generated $30,000, for example, and proposals for a high-visibility campaign are being considered.

There is some urgency because the village is a year into an agreement with Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 that gives it until late 2011 to begin making lease payments.

Essentially, the village has that time to make a go of a long-sought community center, akin to the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest.

Should the effort fall short, the buildings at Brainerd Avenue and Route 176 would return to the school district and could be demolished.

As of Oct. 31, the not-for-profit Brainerd Community Center Foundation had just over $400 in a checking account opened 10 months earlier.

"We should be a lot farther," agreed Bob Peron, a foundation board member and village trustee. "We're putting together a good fundraising committee -- that's the biggest thing now."

At stake is the future of the former Libertyville High School, known as the Brainerd Building. Built in 1916, it is described in one account as the site where most of Libertyville's educational history was made.

With an indoor track and 1,500 seats, the adjoining Jackson Gym, built in 1929, was considered a premier athletic venue.

The foundation is the designated entity to raise funds and coordinate plans.

In a letter to the foundation, Harger wrote there appeared to be a lack of unified direction among the foundation's board of directors.

"We've had expenditures just keeping the place up," said Terry Weppler, a foundation director. "Unfortunately, it's an all-volunteer committee, we have no full-time staff."

Several activities are planned or in place. Three proposals from fundraising companies are being considered, and serious arm-twisting is expected to begin.

The first goal is to raise about $100,000 for a detailed analysis of the ancient boiler and other mechanical systems so a restoration plan can be determined.

A golf outing and other events and strategies are planned. The Libertyville Junior Woman's Club recently held the first major fundraiser, generating about $30,000.

Letters also have been sent to 400 alumni who are nearing the age of 71, noting charitable contributions can count toward required annual IRA distributions.

Those results aren't in, but Weppler said he received an envelope on Christmas Eve containing a check for $2,500, for example.

The group also has formally applied for designation on the federal National Register of Historic Places and state Most Endangered Historic Places, which would open grant opportunities if approved.

School let out forever more than a decade ago. The buildings have been vacant for more than three years, after being deemed unusable without substantial repairs.

Short of athletic space, officials for District 128 considered demolishing the buildings.

Village leaders intervened and formed a committee to meet with the district to discuss options. That led to a heralded, $1.25 million lease agreement, giving the village five years to make something happen.

"The goal is to get the doors open, get things moving and go from there," Weppler said.