When you walk through the Rector Downtown Park you are walking through history. Not only has this park been part of Rector’s downtown area since the town was founded, it now contains the names of many of the people who have made Rector what it was and what it is today. Setting directly across the street from the depot, it was originally an empty space where horses and wagons were tied while their owners conducted their business with the railroad and other businesses down town. It is no surprise that during rainy weather the churning hooves would turn the area into a large mud hole. That in turn became a dirty dust bowl when the ground dried up.

The ladies of Rector were understandably dismayed by this eyesore. Members of the Woman’s Club of Rector decided this was not a good first impression of our town for those arriving by train or passing by as they traveled into town. One of their first projects was to clean up the area and make it into a park. Modest in its first incarnation, they planted flowers and grass and created walkways. Throughout the years the Downtown Park has undergone many revisions.

When: Monday through Thursday (NEA Innovative Training Center, Rector), July 5th through July 8th, 2010. We do not hold class on Friday. A quick breakfast will be offered from 7:30 till 7:55.  Classes will begin at 8am. Pick up will be promptly at 12:30pm.

Where: Kids College in Rector will be at the NEA Innovative Training Center (down town across from NAPA), Thursday’s classes will be at the Rector Community Center.

Cost: 1st child $50.00 (2nd child same family $40.00). Deadline to register is June 25th. Class sizes are limited to 25 students each! Please register early! We can only accept cash or check payment. Please make checks payable to NEAITC/City of Rector.

Who:  Students at least 5 to 11 years old and have completed a full year of Preschool through 5th grade will be accepted.  We will attempt to keep age groups together but cannot guarantee specific groups.

How: Due to the high number of applicants we can not accept mailed or emailed documents and can not fairly reserve spots over the phone. You may download the registration packet below, or physically come to the center to pick one up.  Only complete registration forms that are paid in full and physically brought to the Rector NEA Innovative Training Center will be accepted.

Click here for a full listing of course offerings.

Attachments:

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2010 Kids College Registration	546 Kb

The funds were made available through a grant offered by the Entergy Charitable Foundation. The grant was created to support initiatives which help create and sustain thriving communities, while focusing on low-income initiatives, as well as educational programs. Most of this grant will go toward completing the center's computer lab which has been a high interest to local residents.

David Burnette was an essential part of helping make this grant possible, the center plans to have a Wall of Appreciation when renovations are completed to show our appreciation to every foundation that has chosen to help the center become a reality.

The grant totals $250,000 and will be used for the renovation and development of the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center on Main Street in downtown Rector. The funding comes through federal Community Development Block Grant sources.

"This is an exciting development for our community," said mayor Ron Kemp, "and will be a great step forward for the progress of our training center. This is one of the largest grants we have received in recent years and we are appreciative of all those who have made it possible."

The project involves renovation of the existing building to house both training and wellness centers. No acquisition will be required as the city currently leases the property with the option to purchase at any time. Plans and specifications have been drawn and the project should be ready to accept bids within 120 days.