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Mary Thomson announced that the Meals on Wheels
program would welcome volunteers and suggested Kiwanis/Kiwanians
commit to a weekly route. Mary,
taking a Friday route, asked for other volunteers. Contact Mary if you’re able to help.
Mike Stanfa is selecting committee
chairs for next year’s term.
Bill Guertin reported on the
Interclub to Chicago Heights. Those attending were Dorci Schoolman, Mike Stanfa, Dan Korthauer and Bill Guertin.
Bill Guertin announced the winners
of April’s “Members in Bloom” contest. The winners were: Emile Capriotti
– McDonald’s breakfast; Mike
Stanfa and Elsdon Maynard – Splash Valley tickets; Cary Turner and Sherri Guertin
– golf balls and tees. Congratulations – and thank you –
to all members who participated.
Wes Walker announced that as a member of the Y’s
Men’s Club, he had tickets available for the annual watermelon sale.
Kay Green announced that the next board meeting is
scheduled for Friday, June 17th at the Kankakee Country Club.
June 13: Tom Cunnington – Teen
Court
June 20: Judy Furia of the Kankakee County Historical Society Museum - Volunteerism
June 27: Sherri Guertin – World
Leadership Foundation
Matt McBurnie introduced Claire Bullini, summer intern with the United Way of Kankakee County.
President Kay Green introduced Kankakee
Mayor Don Green and Pastor Steve Goodin of Asbury United Methodist Church.
“The mode in which the
inevitable comes to pass is through effort.”
--Oliver Wendell Holmes
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Connie Licon
introduced Lee Loomis, President of Advantage Financial Group,
parent company of Prairie Walk of Riverstone.
Mr. Loomis
discussed the plan for 240-250 homes to be built on 66 acres by Prairie Walk
of Riverstone. These units will be a mix of
single family homes, duplexes and condominiums. Mr. Loomis spoke about
planned and existing improvements in the area, such as the swimming pool,
ice rink, baseball stadium, soccer fields, etc. There is desires to one day
have a Park District golf course nearby.
“Rooftops
are needed before commercial businesses will come in”, Mr. Loomis
said. He also shared how impressed he was by the “love Kankakee County”
attitude of area residents.
Mr. Loomis
discussed expansion from the original 66 acres to 1,000 acres. This would
be possible through an agreement with the Kankakee Valley Park District.
Mr. Loomis
said that the Kankakee area has
the capacity for tremendous growth. Mr. Loomis thanked Mayor Don Green for
his foresight.
Millions of
dollars will be necessary to complete this growth. Mr. Loomis feels that we
have the ability to grow and that the Kankakee
River is a huge asset in that growth.
Mr. Loomis stated
that some reports have been incorrect about these projects and that he was
grateful for the opportunity to speak to the Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Loomis
and assistant Denise Ambrosiac showed a schematic
of the plan and the Kankakee Park District land boundaries.
Development of
land closest to the Kankakee River is restricted,
as it is located in a 100-year flood plain. Mr. Loomis suggested expanding River Road Park in that
area and using the rest of the land for a golf course. He also stressed
that building will be limited only to cornfields and currently usable land.
Along
with the proposed golf course, a marina, with an enlarged beach area, is
planned.
Mr.
Loomis also announced that Prairie Walk of Riverstone
is the primary sponsor for this year’s Kankakee River Regatta.
Lee
Hill thanked the speaker.
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