JJC Alert: Due to extreme cold, JJC will operate virtually on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Classes will take place virtually. Students must check iCampus for course specific instructions from faculty members.
For more information on JJC’s decision-making process regarding winter weather conditions, visit jjc.edu/closures
January 20, 2025 08:41:55
Joliet Junior College opened the Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center in June 2007 on 32 acres of land donated by John H. Weitendorf, Sr. a 1942 alumnus. While the center's primary focus is to enhance educational opportunities within the College and serve as an event location for the Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences Department, the center is available for outside groups and could be an ideal location for your next meeting, event, competition, class, or show.
The Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center provides comfortable and convenient amenities with modern technology, welcoming groups from five to 500.
For more information about rental rates at this location, visit the links below. To check availability, please contact the Coordinator at (815) 280-6900 or e-mail weitendorfevents@jjc.edu.
View pictures of events (PDF) held in these spaces in the past.
Follow Us on FacebookThe center offers two large event areas: the arena at 10,000 square feet and the exhibit hall at 6,500 square feet. A livestock holding and handling wing is also available. These larger areas are not air conditioned; they are heated. Tables, chairs, a sound system, and divider curtains are available on-site. These areas provide free guest WiFi. Portable audio/visual equipment can be made available with advanced notice.
The center offers four 32-seat classroom style meeting rooms, which can be converted into two larger meeting rooms to accommodate two groups of up to 64 guests comfortably. These meeting rooms are equipped with white boards, projection screens, data/video projectors, a podium, Internet network connection, a small sound system, and free guest WiFi.
JJC's Food Service department can assist you with catering needs at the facility. For more information visit First Choice Cuisine.
Rental rates do not include the cost for Campus Police coverage at $45/hour for weekend use. Non-profit groups are eligible for a 25% discount off of rental rates. External groups are required to submit a Facility Rental Application (PDF) after they have checked availability with the Coordinator. A W-9 (PDF) form, Vendor Form, and Certificate of Insurance are also required prior to the event. External groups must adhere to the College's policy (PDF) and procedure (PDF) regarding Use of Facilities (9.01.01).
|
Room |
Rate |
|---|---|
|
Classroom |
$85 half day (up to 4 hours) |
|
Double Classroom |
$170 half day (up to 4 hours) |
|
Arena |
Monday-Friday
|
|
Exhibit Hall |
Saturday/Sunday |
| Course | Days/Time | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| CDL Training |
Monday-Friday |
New classes starting regularly. Please call 815-280-6902. |
| Forklift Certification |
Monday-Thursday |
02/13/23-02/16/23 04/24/23-04/27/23 Please call 815-280-1555. |
| K9 Good Citizen Obedience |
Thursdays |
02/02/23-03/23/23 Please call 815-280-1555. |
| S.T.A.R. Puppy Training |
Wednesdays |
02/01/23-03/29/23 (no class 03/08) Please call 815-280-1555. |
| Introduction to Upholstery |
Thursdays |
TBD Please call 815-280-1555. |
| Introduction to Beekeeping |
Saturdays |
03/25/23, 04/01/23, 04/22/23, 05/13/23 Please call 815-280-1555. |
The Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center has been made possible through the generous donation of 32 acres of land by John H. Weitendorf, Sr., a 1942 Joliet Junior College alumnus, to the JJC Foundation in 1999. While students, faculty, and the community of Joliet Junior College enjoy this educational resource, it also serves as a reminder of John Weitendorf's generosity and the longstanding tradition of JJC alumni contributing to the educational mission of the college. Interested donors can inquire about naming opportunities at the Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center by contacting Kristin Mulvey, Executive Director of the JJC Foundation, by calling (815) 280-2353 or visiting the JJC Foundation page at www.JJC.edu/giving.
The center was conceived to enhance educational opportunities found within Joliet Junior College's Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences and Veterinary Technology Departments for faculty, students, and the Joliet community.
Successful realization of the mission of these departments, and the community college system as a whole, requires that institutions provide the most current information and experiences to all those in need, regardless of their financial or social status. We strive to reach that realization, but are often limited by the depth of financial commitment from the public education system.
The generosity and commitment of private companies and individuals with a common interest in the advancement of the agriculture industry will bring us closer to achieving the goals and objectives shared by all in this most important and vital field of agriculture.
John Weitendorf, Sr. dedicated his real estate business to helping area farmers secure land to pursue their dreams. Now, the center that bears his name will assist the college as it educates future generations in agriculture.
Joliet Junior College dedicated the Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center's arena as the "William B. Johnson Arena" on May 24, 2018.
The William B. Johnson Arena was dedicated on May 24, 2018 at the celebration of Bill's life. This dedication was made in memory of Bill's 50 years of teaching agricultural sciences, to honor his generous donations to the college, and to recognize the tremendous impact he had on generations of agricultural students and the agriculture community. The Fall 2018 issue of Connections considers the theme of legacy and the meaningful influence that one individual can have on generations of students, colleagues, and communities. The impact that agriculture professor Bill Johnson had on three generations of the Albrecht family over 50 years of teaching at JJC is explored in this issue.
The JJC Foundation has established the William B. Johnson Memorial Agriculture Scholarship. Donations toward the scholarship can be made online at www.jjc.edu/givetojjc or by check made payable to: JJC Foundation, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, IL 60431.
The Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center is conveniently located 10 minutes south of downtown Joliet and I-80. We're on Laraway Road, across from the Chicagoland Speedway, about a mile and a half in from Route 53 on the west and Route 52 on the east. GPS ALERT: GPS systems will not typically find us, so please view the map on the right to assist you. If you need to put an address into your GPS system, use 1151 East Laraway Road. That's not our address, but it's our neighbor directly to the west of us. That should guide you well until you see the purple Joliet Junior College signs for our entrance. Safe travels!
I-355 South to I-80 West to Briggs Street Exit (#134), turn left (South) onto Briggs Street. Briggs Street becomes Manhattan Road/Route 52. Turn right (West) onto Laraway Road. Entrance will be on right (North) side of Laraway Road.
I-55 North to Arsenal Road Exit (#245), turn right (East) onto Arsenal Road. Turn left (North) onto Route 53. Turn right (East) onto Laraway Road. Entrance will be on left (North) side of Laraway Road.
I-80 East to Route 53 Exit (#132A), turn right (South) onto Route 53. Turn left (East) on Laraway. Entrance will be on left (North) side of Laraway Road.
I-80 West to Briggs Street Exit (#134), turn left (South) onto Briggs Street. Briggs Street becomes Manhattan Road/Route 52. Turn right (West) onto Laraway Road. Entrance will be on right (North) side of Laraway Road.
The Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center is located south of I-80 on Laraway Road. Exit I-80 at either Route 53 South/Exit #132-A or Briggs Street South/Exit 134. These hotels are located within 10 miles of the center:
Quality Inn & Suites, South
(approximately 9 miles)
135 South Larkin Avenue
Joliet, IL 60436
Phone: (815) 744-1770
Quality Inn website
Fairfield Inn, South
(approximately 9 miles)
1501 Riverboat Center Drive
Joliet, IL 60436
Phone: (815) 741-3499
Fairfield Inn Marriott website
Hampton Inn
(approximately 9 miles)
1521 Riverboat Center Drive
Joliet, IL 60436
Phone: (815) 725-2424
Hampton Inn website
Clarion Hotel Joliet Banquet and Convention Center
(approximately 6 miles)
411 South Larkin Avenue
Joliet, IL 60436
Phone: (815) 729-2000
Clarion Hotel website
Comfort Inn
(approximately 9 miles)
1520 Commerce Lane
Joliet, IL 60431
Phone: (815) 730-1111
Comfort Inn website
TownePlace Suites Joliet South
(approximately 9 miles)
1515 Riverboat Center Drive
Joliet, IL 60431
Phone: (815) 741-2400
TownePlace Suites website
