Community Service Building Renamed in Honor of Wilson

Mayor John Noak called it “a special occasion” this week as village officials announced a new name for what most people refer to as 10 Montrose Drive.

The building, which until last year housed the , is now home to several community organizations. In November, a dedication ceremony was held there to officially welcome the Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce, Romeoville Area Historical Society and the Tri-County Special Recreation Center.

On Wednesday, board members gave the facility a new name in memory of a longtime recreation department staffer.

The building is now known as the Georgia Wilson Community Service Center. Wilson joined the Romeoville recreation department in 1966 and was the driving force behind the creation of the Special Recreation Association.

On Wednesday, Wilson's husband, Harold, and several family members were at the village board meeting to accept a plaque recognizing Wilson for her service.

"This is in recognition of the fact that she was so heavily involved in the creation of these services," Noak said. "It's because of her that we have what we have," in terms of special recreation, he said.

It was under Wilson’s leadership and due to the many recreation programs she developed for people with disabilities that Bolingbrook, Lockport and Plainfield joined with Romeoville to form the SRA, Noak said.

“The need was so great,” he said.

As the SRA’s first director, Wilson worked to secure grant money and other funding for special recreation programs, and advocated for the rights of those with special needs.

Noak said the building was renamed “in honor of (Wilson’s) commitment and service to individuals with disabilities.”

Current SRA Executive Director Pete Pope was present as village officials rechristened the organization’s new home.

“We’re happy to be a part of the village,” he said. “(The new building has) just worked out extremely well for the SRA.”