City of Tecumseh Community Building
The Tecumseh Community Building is located across the street from the Johnson County Courthouse on the south side of the historic downtown square and was built as a WPA project in 1941 for approximately $45,000. The Community Building was to be used as the cultural, social, sports and entertainment center for the community and was located near the Burlington Northern tracks in an effort to better accommodate visitors that would be traveling to these events. It is a solid concrete, art-deco type building and has a basketball court, bleachers, and large stage on the main level, with a functional kitchen and dining area on the lower level. The total capacity for the main level is 464.
Today, the Community Building serves as an event venue for the Tecumseh Arts Council, Chamber of Commerce, local churches, not-for-profit organizations such as Pheasants Forever, private parties and wedding receptions, school activities, the Johnson County Heritage Days, the Home and Garden Show, and numerous sales and auctions. The City has designated this building as a storm shelter for people who need protection from inclement weather and there are also plans for using the facility as Community Theater. The Community Building is the only secular type facility in the City and guests, exhibitors and vendors for these events come from all over the three-state area.
As of late, the City of Tecumseh has been very pro-active in renovating the Community Building to make it more energy efficient and user friendly. In 2008 the building received all new windows and doors and most of the carpet was removed due to its age and tripping hazards. In 2010, the roof was sealed and the boards on the bleachers were completely replaced. In 2011, the City received EECDBG funds to replace the original furnaces with Made-in-America energy efficient furnaces. These funds also helped pay for energy efficient lighting throughout the building, and with the help of a Southeast District Health grant, a unisex, ADA accessible bathroom was built on the main level.