Giant City School to host ribbon-cutting ceremony for new athletic facility

CARBONDALE, Ill. (Heartland News) - Giant City School (CGS) in Carbondale is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new Rochman Outdoor Complex, known as The Roc.

It will take place on Friday, August 28, at 5:30 p.m. at the new athletic facility, with beverages and cookies provided.

The event is open to the community.

Organizers said The Roc features a combined softball/baseball field, dugouts, batting cages, walking track and landscaping.

The Gian City School Booster Club spearheaded the multi-year project with donations from community members and corporate sponsors.

The new facility is named in honor of the Rochman family, which includes 11 alumni spanning two generations.

Organizers said the Rochman family’s financial support helped make the project possible.

“Giant City School—and this field—are woven into our family’s history,” said Jesse Rochman on behalf of the Rochman family in a released statement. “I played baseball and competed in track and field on this very field, and my father, Barrett, supported Giant City School for 44 years and believed strongly in supporting every sport, not just those receiving the most attention. Helping transform the place where I once competed felt like a fitting way to honor his legacy, carry forward his tradition of giving back and help future generations of Giants make memories of their own.”

School leaders say the project has been a team effort.

“The Rochman family made a tremendous investment in our school’s future with the track, fencing and dirt work,” said CGS Superintendent/Principal Kristopher Mason in a released statement. “From there, our Boosters, the District, our sponsors and many others kept finding ways to make the entire area better.”

Supt. Mason added that the district continued the work with additional fencing repairs, drainage, benches and a new scoreboard.

He also said there is still more the district would like to do.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the CGS Booster Club will host its annual event and fundraiser highlighting student athletes participating in fall sports.

In addition to the Rochman family, the following corporate sponsors of the new athletic facility included: Ashton Orthodontics, Baine Roofing, Banterra Bank, Blue Sky Vineyard, Burke Electric, Built by Clough, E.T. Simonds, First Southern Bank, Giant City Lodge, Indian Creek Kennel, Judge Services, McBride Mack Truck, SIH, SI Tan, Stiles Office Solutions, The Printing Plant and State Farm – Cristina Pisoni.