Attica meeting: feasibility grant from Western Indiana Community Foundation advances plans for rec facility

Chair opened the meeting and announced that the group had won a feasibility study grant from the Western Indiana Community Foundation, saying, "We did get the feasibility study grant from the Western Indiana Community Foundation." The grant, members said, will fund a strategic plan and a feasibility statement to guide any future recreation facility work.

The board discussed sequencing for planning work. Chair told members that Purdue Extension's Community Vitality Program had asked for the group's five‑year plan, the city and county comprehensive plans, and the original master plan; Purdue staff recommended starting with the strategic plan and feasibility analysis before moving to architect-produced graphics. "I think we need to get the strategic plan and the feasibility study done first," Chair said, summarizing the advice they received from Purdue.

Members reviewed an architect proposal (referred to in the packet as a KG / KKG architects document). The Chair said the proposal contains an action plan and that the architect could assist with workshops and outreach, but the board agreed it is premature to start architect-led graphics work until the strategic and feasibility work defines scope and community priorities. One member noted that sponsors and grantors typically "want to know what it is that you're building" and that having preliminary materials can help with fundraising, but the prevailing view was to complete feasibility work first.

Purdue Extension officials, the Chair said, offered to help run public workshops and to advise on outreach to churches, schools and other local groups. The board discussed whether the YMCA might later take on or coordinate some planning work should the project demonstrate sufficient community viability; members agreed to hold initial meetings with Purdue and to solicit the contact list referenced by a caller from the YMCA.

The board did not take a vote on the architect proposal and agreed to return with more information. Next steps included consolidating planning documents for the Purdue meeting and scheduling a small working session with Purdue staff before expanding to broader public workshops.