By: Steven Stilt
The opening of the new Kaskaskia College gymnasium has been delayed, but college officials expect the facility to be hosting events by early 2026.
During Monday’s meeting of the KC Board of Trustees, College President George Evans reported that the floor of the new gymnasium had been damaged during the construction process.
Evans says it is expected that the gym should be ready for use around late January or early February.
“So there’s still a possibility that, you know, there are the inquiries that have already been coming in regarding some usage from the community, as far as high school regionals and stuff like that. So we’re hoping to be ready for that, if that should be an opportunity, so we’re going to play it by ear.”
Evans notes that the companies responsible for the damage will make the necessary repairs at no extra expense to the college.
In other business on Monday, the board of trustees voted to authorize Evans to finalize the sale of a wireless spectrum radio license for $225,000, with those funds to be used toward KC’s operating budget to help reduce the tax levy.
Trustees also approved the continued employment of several faculty members. First-year probationary faculty member Kevin Wheeler was approved for second-year status. Second-year probationary faculty members Stephanie Burgher, Kendra Mueller, and Katy Knolhoff were approved for third-year status. Third-year faculty Sarah Foley and Shelby Guthrie were approved for tenured status, and the continued employment of tenured faculty members Christena Elliott, Brad Odum, John Orlet, Lisa Barrow, Rebecca McElhose, Candace Sloat, Kelli Malone, Alexis Myers, William Waggoner, Angenien Huffstutler, Bill Mathena, and Lyle Gross was approved.
The board also approved the hiring of Amanda Miller as a full-time culinary services assistant.
