The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.



Park District Board Approved $750,000 Renovation Project of La Harpe Community Club House

CLOSED FOR RENOVATION UNTIL APRIL 17th

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher-Owner

The La Harpe Community Club House is getting more than its long-needed improvements many have asked for with an extensive $748,774.00 renovation project that has been awarded to Laverdiere Construction, Inc., "a locally-owned, award-winning general contractor in Macomb, serving West Central Illinois, with over forty years of experience," according to its website.

The La Harpe Park District board met in a special meeting on December 4th to review the La Harpe Community Club House restoration project with project engineers Phillips and Associates of Canton and opened three bids for the project of which two ranged around the million dollar figure.

All seven board members agreed to accept the low bid of $673.822 by Laverdiere with some additions after going over the blueprints with project engineers Phillips and Associates of Canton which raised the cost to $748,774.

The improvements are already underway this week with demolition of the kitchen flooring which has been found to have asbestos, thus causing around an additional $10,000 for the environmentally safe removal.

Ted Sharpe said, "There was extensive discussion with the engineers and the board concerning costs and how the work will be completed by next spring 2020. It was decided that we need to preserve this historic building before it experiences disrepair and possibly losing this treasured landmark."

The La Harpe Park District was formed in 1936 with boundaries the same as those of the City of La Harpe. The land where the La Harpe Community Club House and golf course are were purchased from the former country club.

According to the last historic writings in the Hancock County Court House Centennial historic publication (1908-2008) by David Alan Badger: "The La Harpe Community Club House is an integral part of the La Harpe Park District's contribution to the social fabric of the city of La Harpe.

"The building was built in 1921 and over the years it has served as a place where community activities such as family reunions, auctions, and various other social functions have been held.

"Prior to its present use, the building was used from 1921 until 1926 to house La Harpe District Fair exhibits such as fruits, vegetables, baked and canned goods, and needlework.

"During the years when the fairs were held in La Harpe, it is said that crowds numbering in the thousands came to the fair, many of them to enjoy horse races at the racetrack." It's an area now part of their 9-hole golf course which is open to the public for a mere $5 fee to be left in a box near a golf cart shed before you golf.

The clubhouse "was originally just a summer building with minimal ability to be used during winter months; over the years, though, it was heated and further adapted by the park district, to modernize it and make it more user-friendly for the community."

The Clubhouse, the pool, the baseball diamonds, and the golf course are all a great blessing, considering that they have served so many people in so many ways and only made possible by the generosity of various local donors over the years.

The Park District acquires $14,000 through taxes a year, but loses about $25,000 a year just on pool costs. Money to build, operate and upkeep the pool all is supported by the gift of the Jenny McCarty Estate, a 214 acre farm and money acquired from the sale of shares from the First State Bank of La Harpe as McCarty was 5th largest shareholder (bringing around $1.6 million).

The $748,744.00 which is being used for the Clubhouse renovation, will come from the Leland Lipper Estate, a 390 acre farm.

Together with the McCarty farm, both farms bring in to the La Harpe Park District $90-$100,000 annually which greatly enhances the social activities for the City of La Harpe providing a nine-hole grass greens golf course at minimal cost to the user ($5), two upscale baseball diamonds with dug-outs and bleachers, a large heated and air conditioning clubhouse with kitchen and bathrooms, a swimming pool with wading pool and concessions, and proper upkeep and renovations as needed.

Barry Wright President of the La Harpe Park District Board thumbs through the minute book to obtain information on the clubhouse renovation project as he discusses details with two of the seven member board, Ted Sharpe (left) and Lenus Duffie (standing). The upgrades to the facility have been talked about for a few years Wright said, but are finally coming to reality without the use of taxpayer money. The $748,774 is coming from income from one of 2 farms that was given to the Park District, 390 acres left by Leland Lipper Estate. The other farm supports the pool thanks to the Jenny McCarty Estate (214 acres). Other La Harpe Park District board members are Rena Quigle, Treasurer, Kasey Livingston, Secretary, Jason Siegworth and Ben Hitz.