It’s finally happening! After almost three years of waiting, we are thrilled to share that the groundbreaking of the REC Center will take place on 9/7/2023. This is a transformative occasion for our community. We will soon have a place to gather, learn, play, and grow together. The contractors are lined up. The “i’s” have been dotted. The “t’s” have been crossed. Construction costs are even slightly lower than anticipated. This is more than just a building, it’s a symbol of our dreams and hopes for the future. Let’s do this, Rush County!!

We are so grateful for your patience and support throughout this long process. Look for more details soon. In the meantime, here’s what we all have to look forward to:

What is the REC Center?

At the end of 2020, the Rush County Community Foundation (RCCF) was awarded a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. toward the creation of a community center. The REC (Recreation, Education and Collaboration) Center will be the product of an innovative approach to a decades long dream for our community, with something for everyone.

The vison for the REC Center is to become an all-in-one resource for many of our community’s needs. It will house a fitness center, basketball court, walking/running track, indoor pool, and daycare center. It will also be the new, expanded home of the Rushville Public Library. Rush County Community Assistance food pantry will move into a larger, more welcoming space, including a commercial kitchen. There will be offices for other social service agencies, including WIC, ICAP, Rush County Senior Citizens Center and Firefly Children & Family Alliance. Having all of these organizations under one roof will benefit the community tremendously. A staff member will be on hand to welcome and direct guests. There will be plenty of formal and informal meeting and gathering spaces for the community’s use. It will be housed in the former Walmart building at 1850 N Main Street in Rushville. What a great way to infuse new life into this vacant space!

How You Can Help

Wilma Jo Kile started a fund in memory of her parents to support the operations of the REC Center, the Ebert H. and Bessie M. Schroeder Fund. As a former teacher, principal of Mays Elementary, and assistant superintendent of Rush County Schools, Wilma Jo realized the need for and impact the REC Center would have on the Rush County community. “This project is a transformational, long-overdue, dream come true for Rush County. From an educational standpoint, I can think of nothing else that would provide the value-added amenities that a multipurpose community center would provide to the residents of Rush County,” she shared.

Construction costs are funded, but support is needed for the day-to-day operations once open. Your gift to the Ebert H. and Bessie M. Schroeder Fund will become part of the permanent fund to cover these costs forever.