CIVIC CENTER FUND DRIVE FOR RENOVATION UNDER WAY

The Cape Girardeau Civic Center plans a major remodeling project to convert its building solely to an education and youth center.

A drive to raise $140,000 to fund the renovations is under way, said Civic Center Director Calvin Bird.

The Civic Center, 232 Broadway, has shared its home since 1987 with the Cape Girardeau Nutrition Center.

Last week the senior center moved to its new home on Clark Street.

"The main concern is converting the building back to our use," said Bird. "It's been years since we've had a building by ourselves.

"It is a very large building," Bird said. "For it to be functional for us we need to make some changes. There is a lot of space not being used that could be used. We don't want to waste any space.

"We're getting ready to go into a massive drive to raise some funds to complete the changes," he said. "It will cost about $140,000 to really do everything we need to do."

The fund-raising drive will take place over just a couple of weeks, he said, because the center, a United Way agency, doesn't want to interfere with that campaign.

The building is without air conditioning, but Bird hopes to have a new air-conditioning unit installed soon.

"During the summer, without any air conditioning, it's difficult for us to open up, but we are trying to get all that taken care of."

He said that most summer programs sponsored by the center take place outside the building anyway. For example, a group of youngsters left Monday morning for a trip to Wyoming.

Bird said he contacted a contractor to outline exactly what changes will be needed.

"We've been planning this for a long time," he said. "But it has been difficult for us to plan any dates because the senior citizens were still here.

"Within the next two weeks or so, we are going to work with it; hit it hard and heavy," Bird said.

"We have already acquired some tables and chairs," he said. A pool table and ping pong table and video games are ready to go in.

"We need to convert the kitchen area. We will keep a working kitchen, but it won't be as large.

"We need the area for classes for kids and a rec area for the kids.

He said the building will also be more accessible for community groups to meet. "We will also provide space for weddings and things like that. It will be a really nice facility for the community."

The Civic Center has been active in Cape Girardeau for 40 years.

The center offers tutoring, GED preparation, job training and a variety of other educational programs for disadvantaged youth.

"Our goal remains the same: giving them a shot they might not have had if we were not here," said Bird.

"We are continuing our classes, with a new twist," Bird said. "We hope to set up the programs on a three-year cycle. We will start in the seventh or eighth grade and take them all through high school."

At milestones, Bird said, students will be invited on trips like the one to Wyoming. "We will use these trips as a catalyst," he said.

In order to accommodate the expanded programming, Bird said the center needs to be remodeled.

"We have already contacted some potential contributors. Basically what we need are commitments. With the commitments, that allows us to start some of the work."

Bird said anyone willing do donate time, money or expertise is invited to contact him at the center at 335-7141.