The future of two facets of Illinois Valley Community College will be on the table in December, with the board of trustees deciding the fate of the college's proposed satellite center in Ottawa, and the on-campus child care center.

During its meeting Thursday, President Jerry Corcoran presented information about the proposed lease with the city of Ottawa to bring a satellite center to the former Centrue Bank processing center on West Main Street.

Because the renovation costs came in higher than anticipated, Centrue agreed to drop the purchase price for the city by $50,000. Corcoran praised both parties for their commitment to this project, which is expected to better serve the eastern part of the college's borders.

Corcoran said the contract would run from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2015. For the first two years of the agreement, the college will pay $12 per square foot, or $132,000 per year. For the third year, the lease price will be $13 per square foot, or $143,000. For the fourth and fifth years, the college will pay $14 per square foot, or $154,000 per year.

The satellite center is expected to open this fall. However, for the first six months, the college will not pay rent, but will use that money to aggressively market the new facility.

"The city," said Corcoran, "will provide maintenance and janitorial service, natural gas, sewer and water, food service by way of a separate contract with a vendor, landscaping and parking lot development and maintenance and future green energy conservation measures based on success of receiving grants and private donations.

"The college will provide electrical service to the premises, furnishings, equipment, computers, video cameras and security-related technology."

Corcoran said he would like to see the facility staffed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A center administrator, center coordinator, two part-time support staff, a student worker and safety service personnel are the positions now being considered.

Corcoran said the agreement will be before the board at the December meeting to vote on whether to move ahead with the plans. If approved, he said he'd like to begin marketing as soon as possible.

In December, the board also will discuss the future of the child care center, which will be displaced when the community technology center project begins construction, projected for 2010. The relocation and renovation costs to move the center to space above the gym would be around $400,000, plus design costs.

Some trustees previously have stated this amount is too high. While the early childhood education program would continue for the students, some have suggested finding off-site alternatives to getting the hands-on training with preschool students.

"We can provide the program; this is not a program issue," said board Chairman Dennis Thompson. "No one said the program is not worthy. It"s the cost of remodeling the upper gym. That"s the big issue."

With the architects needing a decision as to whether the child care center will be part of the scope of the project, the board will be discussing — then voting on — the matter next month.

Diane Christianson, early childhood education program coordinator, addressed the board, asking trustees to weigh their decision carefully.

"I know it's a difficult decision. I know it is financial," she said.

She also asked that trustees keep their public comments considerate of the people who are connected to the center: "The center has been here a long time. The program has been here a long time … I ask for your deep consideration and thought."