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Council approves $266,009 grant for All Star Sports Academy after questions; two abstain
Summary
Council approved a one-time $266,009.41 grant to All Star Sports Academy for purchase of a facility and debt payoff in exchange for operating it as a youth community center for five years; the agreement includes a promissory note, mortgage and personal guarantee and passed 3–yes with two abstentions.
The Galesburg City Council approved a one-time grant of $266,009.41 to All Star Sports Academy of Western Illinois to help the nonprofit acquire the property at 1855 East Knox Street and repay prior loans, with the requirement the academy operate the facility as a youth community center for a minimum five-year period and provide at least 20 hours per week of free youth enrichment services.
"We're not just a skating rink. We are a youth community center," said Mr. Spinks, the academy representative, describing plans to offer meals, laundry services and structured enrichment for children. He said the grant would pay off property debt and several loans tied to electrical and plumbing work; $130,000 of the requested funds would go toward purchasing the property and the remainder toward loan payoffs.
Staff said the grant is funded from general obligation bond funds authorized for community-center purposes and includes accountability provisions: a promissory note, mortgage and personal guarantee that can be forgiven if the academy meets reporting and operational requirements over the five-year term. City staff said sufficient bond funding is available in the 2026 budget.
Councilmembers asked for details on operations, regulatory framework and transportation for participants; Spinks said the academy is operating under a school-age program framework (not daycare), has collaborations with Bridgeway and the Regional Office of Education, and is pursuing transportation options including two 15-passenger buses that do not require a CDL.
The motion carried with three votes in favor and two abstentions (Councilmembers White and Ochoera abstained). The city clerk recorded the vote as 3 yes, 2 abstain.
