Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr and Director of Public Works Dave Ruwe knew during their Wednesday (Nov 5th) evening trip to the Peoria Civic Center that the Danville Garfield Park and Aquatic Center was receiving a specific category award. But what they didn’t know was that after all the awards were announced, one of them would be named the overall “State of Illinois Project of the Year.” And Danville got it. The next morning, after the Elmwood Park ceremony, Mayor Williams told CIMG that this was a total surprise.
AUDIO: I knew we won the project of the year for our category, but we didn’t know about the final recognition. And we’re sitting there; and they say, “And at this time we would like to acknowledge the project for the entire state of Illinois; the Garfield Park and Pool project.” And I’m telling you, my heart just leaped out of my chest with pride and excitement. It was a great thing. What I’m proud of is that’s the entire state. That doesn’t include just downstate. That’s Chicago too. So, out of the entire state of Illinois, they chose Garfield Park and Aquatic Center as the Project of the Year. And I just couldn’t be prouder.
The specific category Danville had been recognized for was “Projects between $5 Million and $25 Million.”
