The Fate of Freeport’s Oakdale Tabernacle Has Been Decided
Freeport's Oakdale Tabernacle has stood since 1915. It's been over 7 years since it was last used, and its days are now numbered.
At Tuesday night's vote, the Freeport Park District Board voted 3-2 in favor of demolition.
At the open door meeting, more than 20 residents pleaded the case for restoring the facility, however, their pleas were too little, too late.
According to Ken Collin, Freeport Park District Commissioner, restoration for the facility would exceed $1.3 million and that was just enough for the bare minimum, with no upgrades to the facility. He said he had a hard time justifying asking the taxpayers to spend that kind of money.
The next step is now to take bids to demolish it, according to WREX.
It's always tough losing something that has sentimental value. Especially a place that has stood for more than 100 years. There's going to be a connection between the building and the people, but unfortunately times change. Hopefully, if they happen to open something in its place down the road, locals give it a chance and show it the same love they did the Tabernacle.