The Birth of a Dream

Originally, TEAM got involved with Parkland College in trying to get college accreditation for the trade unions apprenticeship programs.  Subsequent involvement revealed a common need for a training facility for Parkland College's construction technology courses, permanent office space for TEAM and the training needs for the building trade unions associated with the East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council.

The Dream Partners

Soon discussions began to develop towards a remodeling project for an area of 11,000 sq. ft. in the old K's Merchandise building on Mattis Avenue near the Parkland College campus.  It soon became clear that the real challenge for accomplishing the dream for the "Construction Education Alliance" would be getting funding for the project.  Help from State Rep. Tom Burns and State Senator Stan Weaver began the process by writing the original $100,000 Illinois First Grant, and then with additional help from State Rep. Naomi Jacobbson and State Senator Rick Winkel to finally secure the release of that grant, the project began.  The three primary partners, under the leadership of Dan McCall (ECIBCTC), Rich Lake (Parkland College) and Dan Zigler (TEAM), made a commitment to raise the additional funds from the community, construction industry and local businesses.

Construction Education Alliance Partners
TEAM	Parkland College	East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council

The Dream Becomes Reality

The CEA facility became reality with formal dedication in November 2004.   The dream became reality because of the generous cash donations, Illinois First Grant, volunteer labor from the building trade unions and material donations from local union contractors.  The new facility offers two (2) state-of-the-art classrooms, a 5,000 sq.ft. construction laboratory, a conference room, two (2) offices, restroom facilities, storage rooms and the TEAM Plan Room.

Nearly 290 professional trade union members contributed over 5,000 volunteer hours to work on the CEA facility.  The bulk of work done on the CEA facility was accomplished with volunteer labor and saved the CEA project tens of thousands of dollars in construction costs.  It is estimated that nearly $190,000 worth of building materials were donated by local union contractors, and some $90,000 in cash donations from other generous benefactors.

We encourage visitors to view the dedication plaques to our benefactors and visionaries in the hallway of our new CEA facility.