Spoon River College held a Wall Breaking Ceremony at their Macomb East building located at 2500 E. Jackson Street on August 29. The event celebrated the start of renovations of the facility, which the college purchased in 2006 and currently houses the SRC Office of Community Outreach.

The event included comments from Dr. Curt Oldfield, President, Spoon River College; Nicholas Klein, Assistant Deputy Director of Operations, Capital Development Board; Chris Chivetta, President, Hastings+Chivetta; Norine Hammond, State Representative; and Mike Inman, Mayor, City of Macomb.Group of dignitaries holding hammers for the "wall breaking" ceremony, including SRC president, Curt Oldfield, several elected officials, business people, and SRC board members, as well as SRC Snappers mascot, Sheldon

“It is with immense pride and joy that I welcome you all to this wall breaking ceremony—a milestone event that marks the beginning of a new chapter for our community and region,” said Dr. Oldfield. “Today, we stand on the threshold of progress, ready to embark on a journey that will shape the future for generations to come.”

group of attendees on a tour of the worksite in the facility

Representative Hammond gave kudos to community colleges for continuing to adapt to serve their communities and students, saying, “Dr. Oldfield and I talked about this vision and this transformation for a number of years, and to be here today and know that it is truly happening is just incredible.”

Mayor Inman joked with the crowd, “How many remember when this was Value Village? Good, I know how old you are now!” He expressed his excitement about the building’s soon-to-be new life. “We have long anticipated the façade of this building being opened up and new classrooms being here for these students. This fit entirely in sync with our plan to develop this part of East Jackson into an economic and retail commercial corridor.”

Group of students, faculty and staff in the area where the Allied Health wing will be, with a floor plan of the planned layout.

The college’s mascot, Sheldon the Snapper, made an appearance after comments concluded, posing near the drywall that was set up to be broken by dignitaries using commemorative Vaughn & Bushnell hammers. After the official wall breaking, visitors were welcomed inside the building for a tour and refreshments.

Besides classrooms, labs, and simulation suites for career programs, the 66,000-square-foot space will include administrative and faculty offices, and student support services. Spoon River College expects to start holding classes there in the fall of 2025.

Funding for the project includes a Rebuild Illinois grant for $6.2 million, approximately $1 million from congressionally appropriated funds to support the expansion of rural health care, and $10 million in local funds.