CC receives $275k gift to improve LEC

Clarendon College officials are making plans to enhance the Livestock & Equine Center after an anonymous donor gave $275,000 for the purpose.

CC President Phil Shirley said the gift will allow the college to build restrooms, a permanent announcer’s stand, office space, and a classroom to the ten-year-old facility.

“The donor was given three projects to consider and felt like this one would impact the most students as well as the community,” Shirley said.

The improvements to the LEC will make the facility more attractive for events, bring more people to Clarendon, and in turn help the community and local businesses, the president said.

“It will be an unlimited draw and have more people spending the night here, eating here, and buying things they need here.”

The facility was built in 2003, but funds were not available to finish it out as intended. Improvements have been made through the years, but Shirley said the college has spent about $38,000 renting portable commodes over that time.

At this point, the college is still finalizing plans for the office space in the LEC. The biggest issue facing the project is how to handle the sewage – either through a septic system or by tying into city services. But Shirley is confident that matter will be resolved.

“We want to accommodate crowds of up to 2,500 people,” he said. “We hope to fill every hope and every dream we’ve had for the facility. We want the best.”