Sullivan Civic Center dedication draws big crowd

By Lucy Perry

SULLIVAN- Mayor Clint Lamb and “Friends of Central Plaza” welcomed a large crowd outside the former Central Elementary School gymnasium to the dedication ceremony of the transformed civic center in Sullivan at 5 p.m. Friday evening.

It was a festive affair, with the Sullivan High School Band playing music and various speakers addressing the audience with messages of hope for future development in the city. The sun was shining on a breezy 90-degree day. An open house followed, with many residents touring the more than $2 million remodeled facility for the first time.

Lamb believes the Sullivan Civic Center and Central Plaza will give the city the economic boost it needs, including creating jobs and business opportunities for the area.

“You know what this really, truly is? It’s the beginning of something special,” Lamb said, noting that every time “you pick up the newspaper,” you see the city topping the list of unemployment or you hear reports of meth lab busts. “Words can’t express what’s going on here,” he said, as he greeted hundreds of guests at the door of the old gym with a brand new look.

Explaining that the civic center is already booked for 16 community and private events, he's optimistic the new center will help the city move forward in a positive direction.

“Change is difficult.  Let’s come together; let’s do this for our future,” he said, addressing the audience.

Chairwoman of the Friends of Central Plaza, Jen Thompson, agrees.

“I just want to thank the redevelopment commission, our mayor, all of the dreamers and the goal setters , who saw the dilapidated school and came up with an idea and a solution. And now we have this beautiful building sitting here in our city,” she said, adding she is excited about future phases of the project.

Guest speaker Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight told the crowd that one of the jobs mayors share is to “tell your story and brag about your city.”

“Rest assured, Clint Lamb brags about Sullivan as much, if not more, than any mayor I know in the state, about your city,” Goodnight said.

He reflected back to a couple years ago when Lamb first told him about the project, and his enthusiasm when explaining it after showing him the old gym.

“The fact that you’re willing to invest in your community, and invest in your future, invest in your children’s future, says  more about you than I can articulate. Congratulations,” Goodnight said.