But this time it’s up U.S. 220 in Rockingham County, where commissioners are debating $16 million for the McMichael Civic Center at Rockingham Community College:
The civic center is the priority project on RCC’s long-range facilities master plan, college President Robert Keys told the commissioners. It will include a 1,000-seat performing arts center; gallery space; a business development center; and space for workforce training programs and seminars.
But with only $5 million raised, the civic center campaign has fallen far short of the $16.9 million needed to build it.
College officials asked the commissioners last month to consider taking out a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pay for the center. Keys told the commissioners Monday that they would likely need to borrow $10 million to $11 million. Although officials will continue campaigning, Keys said it isn’t likely the entire amount can be raised privately in a timely fashion.
It’s good to see some skepticism from the commission’s leadership.
