New shelter plans take shape

With almost $15,000 raised in the campaign to rebuild the main shelter house at Fort Kaskaskia Park near Chester, local officials met March 15 to discuss what still needs to be dome to bring the project to fruition.

The shelter house - built by the WPA in 1938 and a popular spot for events like picnics, family reunions, weddings, and receptions - was destroyed in a fire in 2012. Shortly after the fire, an account was set up at Buena Vista National Bank in Chester with the goal of raising enough funds to rebuild the house. The fund currently has collected $14,125.

Approximately 35 people attended the meeting to review plans and see what still needs to be done. Randolph County Commissioner Dr. Marc Kiehna said the project is expected to cost $75,000 and all funds must be raised by the public.

No funding is available from the state of Illinois.

Blueprints were distributed and comments were made by Chester Wingerter, Kaskaskia site supervisor, Greg Birchler, contractor with F.S. Construction Services, and Chris Martin, economic development director and chairman of the Community Foundation of Randolph County.

The speakers made it clear that the projected structure will be as similar as possible to the original structure. However, after several years of searching, beams like those in the original shelter are not available. At this point, the Randolph County Historical Society and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources have joined with the Randolph County Progress Committee and the Community Foundation of Randolph County to finish the task of rebuilding the shelter house. The committee agreed that, with modern technology and building materials, the shelter will be reconstructed using the original four corner limestone pillars, which remain in place following the fire. The original blueprint plans from the 1938 construction still exist and have been helpful in the planning of the new building, the speakers told the group.

Donations can still be made by contacting Martin, Kiehna or by sending a tax-deductible donation to the special account at Buena Vista National Bank in Chester. Interested parties may also make donations online on the Facebook page of the Community Foundation of Randolph County. It is hoped that a majority of fundraising will take place by June 1 of this year, with plans to complete the project sometime in the Fall.

During the meeting, Chris Martin accepted a check in the amount of $1,000 from the Dr. Marc Kiehna family. Dr. Kiehna stated that he hoped this would be just the beginning of additional charitable giving from individuals and organizations.

He stressed that all donations are welcome, small and large. Donations of $1,000 or more will be honored on a plaque at the site.

"People from all over the country have responded to social media reports of this fundraising project," he said. "So many people, local and across the country, have fond memories of this location."

Dr. Kiehna stated that bids will be let for the project when a firm amount of funding is raised.