Gorton Center Remains Heart of Community

For those who attend programs or rent space at Gorton Community Center, there has been little sign of the financial woes that the Lake Forest non-profit center went through over the summer.

"To the average person, you wouldn't know any difference," said Lake Forest City Manager Bob Kiely, who is serving as Gorton's interim director.

Back in July, the cash shortage at the community center, which has been an institution in Lake Forest since the early 1970s, forced the board of directors to lay off its entire staff.

"The cash flow situation got to a point where they couldn't make payroll," said Kiely, who stepped in as acting director on a pro-bono basis.

Gorton, like many non-profit organizations, has felt the pain of the lengthy recession that has had its hold on the country. The center suffered a significant drop in donations and fundraising, which are the center's primary revenue sources.

Since Kiely stepped in to help put Gorton back on track, a new nine-member transitional board of directors has been appointed. They meet on a bi-weekly basis to go over their plans to move forward.

The board is analyzing all aspects of Gorton's operations, including programs, the Drop-In Center or as needed daycare, performing arts, performance and marketing, fundraising, building and facility, and leased space.

Once the board has determined the best model for Gorton to move forward, they will make their recommendations, including the appointment of a permanent director, to the Lake Forest City Council later this year.

In addition, Lake Forest resident Nancy Novit has volunteered to help out with Gorton's day-to-day operations.

"I'm in the building every day," Novit said. "Things are running very smoothly, and we're addressing immediate needs."

During this time of financial duress, however, the actual Gorton building never physically closed, and in many areas, it has been business as usual.

The Center Stage Theatre recently completed several sold-out performances of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," and Chicago's Second City comedy group performed a benefit Oct. 20 for Lake Forest Hospital.

On Oct. 30, Gorton will host journalist Bill Kurtis as he interviews famed astronaut and Lake Forest resident James Lovell as part of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society's Local Legends.

But the community center has cut back on the amount of programs it offers, although it plans to hang on to the ones that have long been Lake Forest traditions.

"We brought programs back to things that people have historically supported," Novit said.

Gorton also hired back three staff members let go over the summer.

"I think it's important to save this institution that's been part of the community for such a long time," said Kiely, who will step down as interim director after the transitional board's recommendations are made. "I'm confident we'll get there."