Oakley Lindsay Center awaiting state grant approval

7 months, 4 weeks ago

The Oakley Lindsay Civic Center is in a "limbo" area while their state grant is pending for building a new storage building

The Oakley Lindsay Civic Center is in a "limbo" area while their state grant is pending for building a new storage building.

At OLC's monthly meeting Wednesday, Rob Ebbing, Executive Director of the OLC, said the grant application was completed and they are now awaiting approval from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for the $800,000 state grant. There is no norm and it could take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year to process.

"We've applied to the state for a grant that would cover the costs," says Ebbing, "and while we're in the grant application process, we have to put the building on hold. We can't start spending any money until they approve the grant for the project."

In other business, after a big storm around the end of July, the Quincy Gems' lost all the flags that go around the stadium, the tent got destroyed and some of the market umbrellas they had sitting around were destroyed. The insurance check just came in and everything will be replaced next year. When asked if the Gems' broke even this year, Ebbing says some days it looks like they lost and others it looks like they are even. They will have the official profit and loss for the season by next month's meeting.

There are also several new leaks in the seams of the roof over McClain Hall, which is still the original roof. OLC is working with Goerlich Roofing Company, who put on the original roof, to make repairs. Goerlich is going to re-seal the seams, which would give it 3-5 more years, and it would cost around $50-60,000 to replace that portion of the roof.

Also, OLC is in the process of putting together an Outdoor Show for the end of January.

"In the past we've had camping shows, which was all campers," Ebbing says, "years ago, we had an outdoor show, which was primarily boats, so what we want to do is kind of wrap our arms around everything and be able to have a nice show in January for people to come see what's going to be new in the camping world, in the fishing/boating world, in the ATV world, lawn tractors, anything that's outdoors-related. People are starving for something to do in January and we're dreaming about summer so we want to give them a one-shot, big show where they can come see it all...we're looking to attract local businesses to come set up , we're not looking at bringing someone from out of town."

Booth space will be available for campgrounds and other outdoor locations wanting to show themselves to the market place.