The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it will work with local officials to seek new proposals for redeveloping the shuttered resort at the Eagle Creek State Recreation Area on Lake Shelbyville. But the current building will have to go.
Engineering consultants hired by the IDNR said in an assessment survey released Tuesday that that fixing up the Eagle Creek facility would cost nearly $18 million. IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal says with that in mind, it’s best to demolish the old building and start over.
State Senator Chapin Rose welcomed the state agency’s willingness to start looking for a developer for a new Eagle Creek Resort. In a news release, the Republican from Mahomet said he’s spoken with several “qualified developers” who are interested in the site in Shelby County.
“The goal is to build something that would anchor that region of the state in terms of tourism and economic development," Rose said. "Again, my goal here is to protect the taxpayers first. So whoever the developer is would have to bring capitol to the table.”
The Eagle Creek resort and conference center closed in 2009, due to mold problems. State and local officials have been searching for a private developer ready to reopen the facility, without success. However, an adjacent golf course remains open.