Last Thursday, Luke Harl, President of the Frontier Foundation at Frontier Community College, addressed Fairfield Rotarians about the funding progress for the new Bobcat Athletic Center, which is set to become the college’s central hub for athletes and students. This ambitious project, estimated at $4.1 million, will feature a 22,000 square foot facility designed to consolidate Frontier’s sports and training activities.
The main gymnasium will span 12,320 square feet and include three NJCAA courts, alongside an additional 9,800 square feet dedicated to sports conditioning, a bookstore, concessions, locker rooms, coaching offices, and more. The center will also provide bleacher seating for 260 spectators, replacing the current Bobcat Den as the primary venue for Frontier sports. This new facility will offer much-needed practice and competition space for the Bobcat Volleyball team.
In addition to hosting graduations, ceremonies, tournaments, and training camps, the Bobcat Athletic Center will be accessible to the surrounding community, offering athletic and fitness classes to the public. The courts will also be available for recreational use, accommodating intramural leagues for sports such as basketball, pickleball, and volleyball.
The Illinois Eastern Community College (IECC) District has already committed $3.4 million to the project, leaving a remaining balance of $700,000 for the FCC Foundation to secure. President Harl mentioned that Fairfield’s Business Development District will contribute $300,000, funded by sales tax revenue initiated by former Mayor Mike Dreith.
Currently, the foundation needs an additional $50,000 to fulfill its funding commitment. Harl anticipates that groundbreaking for the Bobcat Athletic Center will take place in Summer or Fall 2025, with the facility expected to open in 2026.
The building will be situated between Bob Boyles and Mason Hall, with new parking facilities planned to accommodate events and tournaments that are projected to draw significant visitors to Fairfield.
President Harl emphasized that the addition of the center would positively impact recruitment, as it will help meet the expectations of prospective athletes seeking a comprehensive college sports experience.
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