Winchester School Multipurpose Building to Become Kerr Ballard Legacy Center

WINCHESTER, Ill. — Winchester Community Unit School District has approved naming its new multipurpose building the Kerr Ballard Legacy Center following a $1 million donation that will cover most of the project’s cost.

The anonymous donation came from a Scott County, Illinois couple who had a close relationship with James “Kerr” Ballard, an 11-year-old former Winchester student who died in an ATV accident nearly five years ago.

The donors requested that the money be used specifically for the multipurpose building and that the facility be named in Kerr’s honor. Superintendent Jeff Abell said the district welcomed the opportunity to recognize the impact Kerr had on others during his life.

Abell said the final design and placement of the name have not yet been determined, but it will be prominently displayed both inside and outside the building.

Kerr’s father, Wes Ballard, said the honor was unexpected and deeply meaningful to the family. He described his son as someone who wanted the best for everyone, regardless of their background, academic ability or athletic involvement.

Ballard said Kerr’s faith motivated him to help others and treat people with kindness. He said the anonymous donor became close to the family after forming a friendship with Kerr and was strongly affected by the young man’s life.

While the family is humbled by the building’s name, Ballard said Kerr would likely be most excited about the opportunities the facility will provide for students and the Winchester community.

The school board also unanimously approved a $1.54 million construction bid from Midwest Construction of Virden. The bid was the lowest submitted and came in significantly below the district’s earlier estimated cost of approximately $2.3 million.

Because of the donation and the lower construction price, the district is expected to avoid issuing the larger alternative bond that had previously been considered. Remaining costs could instead be covered through facility sales-tax revenue or working-cash funds.

Construction is expected to begin soon. District officials anticipate the Kerr Ballard Legacy Center will be ready for use when students return from winter break in January.