PEORIA MAGAZINE October 2022

“One of the most important things that sets Washington schools apart is that the faculty members … care about the students, and they want the best for them,” said Dr. Kyle Freeman, super intendent of Washing ton CommunityHigh School, while boasting of the “phenomenal” opportunities for students in academics, athletics, clubs, music, the arts and more. “Our goal is to prepare students for the next level, whatever that is for each individual,” he said. Some 80%of WCHS students move on to college, 10% enter the workforce, and 7% join the military. Community support is “tremendous,” as evidenced by the orange and black Washington Panthers flags and banners adorning homes and businesses on any given Friday during the school year. SMALL BUSINESS AND A BIG TORNADO City officials don’t contest Washing ton’s reputation as a bedroom commu nity, but they do point to the 400 people employed by Washington’s school dis tricts, the Walmart Supercenter (300 plus full- and part-time employees) and Uftring Chevrolet (100 plus employees) as significant local job creators. On the manufacturing side are Illinois Valley Plastics, which recently expanded and employs around 100; BTD, a metal fabricator employing about 70: and AlliedWheel Services, whichmakes wheels for rail cars and has more than 60 workers. M4 Steel opened shop in 2019, fabricating boilers and related equipment on Cummins Lane. A handful of other companies offer jobs in the electrical, printing and equipment industries. Meanwhile, small businesses of all sorts thrive in and aroundWashington. Russell’s Cycling and Fitness is one of them. Joe Russell started the business 46 years ago “with two bikes and a handful of parts,” and has grown to serve cycling and fitness enthusiasts in a 50-mile area. Early on, Russell said manufacturers courted him tomove his shop to Peoria. But he was raising kids at the time and wanted to be near their schools and

Town and Country Gardeners fought the change and the plan was scrapped. Then as now, preserving the past is considered progress in Washington. 2O YEARS AND GROWING While “old town” Washington might be a source of preservationist pride, Manier said it is just one feature of his hometown that has drawn people to Washington during his tenure as mayor. Amenities l ike the Five Points Washington community center, 14 miles of biking/walking trails, lots of parks and recreation opportunities, and top-notch schools have al l contributed to tremendous growth over the past 20 years. From 2000 to today, Washington’s population grew from 10,600 to 16,259. In 2005-2006 alone, 309 new single family homes were built. Growth has been more modest in recent years, but still trends upward. “People aren’t moving away, they are staying here,” Manier said. “We are blessed to have enough amenities to keep them here.” FIVE POINTS AND MORE One of the chief attractions is Five Points Washington, “the crown jewel of the community.” Opened in 2007, the 148,000-square-foot facility houses an aquatics center, fitness center, banquet facility, 1,000-seat performing arts center and the public library all under one roof. People don’t just love Five Points, “people move here because of it,” said

Vikki Poorman, the general manager. Functioning as a sort of small-town civic center, Five Points is operated as a nonprofit corporation, with revenue primarily from memberships, rentals, ticket sales and activity fees. It is con trolled by a board with representation from government, schools, the park district, the library and the community at-large.

Megan Stevenart, Five Points fitness manager, leads an exercise class

On any given day, Five Points might host swim lessons, a dance recital, a high school PE class, a performance of theHeartland Festival Orchestra, library researchers, a concert or play, awedding reception and a City Council meeting. Membership slipped during the pandemic but is slowly trending upward again. Poorman said about 70% of members are Washington residents, with the balance from surrounding communities. “We are extremely proud to have a facility like this in a town this size,” said Poorman. “It is well supported by the community.” Another point of pride inWashington is the K-12 school system, split between four public districts and St. Patrick Catholic School.

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