Lake Land Seeks State Funding for Major Renovations to Four Campus Buildings

Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has approved a funding request to the state for extensive renovations of four major campus buildings: the Northwest and Northeast Classroom Buildings, the West Building, and the college library. The projects, outlined in the college’s Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP), would require a combined local match of over $16.7 million if fully funded by the state.

RAMP Document Key Points:

• The board approved the submission of the FY 2027 Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP) to the Illinois Community College Board.

• The plan requests state funding for major renovations of the Northwest Classroom Building, Northeast Classroom Building, West Building, and the Lake Land College Library.

• If fully appropriated, the projects would require a total local match from the college of $16,748,400.

MATTOON — Lake Land College is planning a significant overhaul of its aging campus facilities, with the Board of Trustees approving a formal request for state funding to renovate four key buildings.

During its July 14 meeting, the board authorized the submission of the college’s Fiscal Year 2027 Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP) to the Illinois Community College Board. According to John Woodruff, Vice President for Business Services, the application focuses on one major project title: “Renovation of Existing Campus Buildings.”

The plan outlines comprehensive rehabilitation projects for the Northeast Classroom Building, the Northwest Classroom Building, the West Building, and the Lake Land College Library. Woodruff explained that if the state approves and appropriates the funds, the college would be responsible for a substantial local match. The required local funding would be:

• $5,100,000 for the West Building remodel

• $4,080,000 for the Library remodel

• $3,825,000 for the Northeast Classroom Building remodel

• $3,743,400 for the Northwest Classroom Building remodel

The total local share for the projects would amount to $16,748,400. “These projects are vital to our continued ability to fulfill the mission of meeting the higher education needs of our students,” a college memo stated.