Lisle Park District Proposed Multi-Use Indoor Recreation Center

Press Releases and Media Coverage

Friday, August 22, 2008 

PARK BOARD UNANIMOUSLY VOTES TO GO TO REFERENDUM FOR NEW COMMUNITY CENTER  

During the regularly scheduled meeting of the Lisle Park District Board of Park Commissioners, Thu., Aug. 21, the Lisle Park District commissioners unanimously passed a motion to adopt  " a resolution providing for and requiring the submission of the proposition to issue general obligation park bonds to voters of the Lisle Park District, DuPage County, Illinois, at the general election to be held on the 4th day of November, 2008.    

Residents will have the opportunity to vote on an 85,499 square foot Community Center to be built on the site of the current Community Center.  The new center would combine the program space offered at the Meadows and Community Centers.  The new Community Center would also include a multi-use gymnasium, indoor track, babysitting area and aerobics studio and other enhancements.   

The original schematic design included a green roof, skylights, and clearstory elements.  In an effort to reduce the building’s overall cost, these items, along with 20% of the exterior stone, translucent panels, a monument sign and others were removed from the original schematic design, resulting in an overall project cost reduction of $632,664.  The total projected cost of the new Community Center is $21,900,000.  Ultimately, should the project be approved, a homeowner with an assessed valuation of $300,000 would see an estimated tax increase of approximately $ 99.21/year or $8.27/month for a period of 20 years.     

If the referendum does not pass, the district would have to consider seeking a referendum to invest in current facilities at an estimated cost of $10 million to purchase the Meadows and make necessary repairs and improvements to the Meadows and Community Centers.  However, this solution would not address the deficiency in indoor gymnasium space or the growing demand for fitness and wellness programs, indoor youth athletics, or early childhood programming.    

Upon passing the motion to go to referendum, Don Cook, park board president, said “Even in the current economic situation, the board feels that a new community center is the most financially responsible solution given our other options  and  feels this project is in the best interest of the future of our community.”   For more information on this project, please contact Dan Garvy, director of parks and recreation, at 630-353-4310 or email dgarvy@lisleparkdistrict.org.

Monday, July 7, 2008

BOARD TO HOLD SPECIAL OPEN MEETING FOR PROPOSED COMMUNITY CENTER DESIGNS 

There will be a special public meeting of the Lisle Park District Board of Park Commissioners to review the schematic design of the proposed multigenerational community center on Sat., Jul. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at the Community Center, 1825 Short St. in Lisle.

Carol Stream based Williams Architects will be presenting the board with updated designs and possible construction schedules.  Other topics scheduled for discussion are the proposed floor plans, elevations and updated cost estimates.

The public is welcome to attend.  For more information on this project, please visit www.lisleparkdistrict.org or call 630-964-3410.

Lisle Sun Coverage, June 20, 2008

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/lislesun/news/1012665,6_1_NA20_LSREC_S1.article

Daily Herald Coverage, June 11, 2008

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=205484&src=112

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 

LISLE PARK DISTRICT TO PRESENT PLANS FOR NEW COMMUNITY CENTER

Architectural drawings to be made available to public

For the past 6 weeks the Lisle Park District staff has been working with Williams Architects in further refining plans for an 86,000 square foot recreation center. 

Plans include a multi use gymnasium, senior wing, preschool wing, indoor walking/jogging track, multiuse rooms, fitness center, aerobics room, dance studio, etc.

The cost will range from $19.5 and $23 million, but as work on the architectural plans and detailed cost estimating continue, that range will narrow. 

The impact on the owner of a $300,000 home would be $94.54 to $108.56 annually. 

A "Frequently Asked Questions" document has been posted on the district's web site and feedback is encouraged.  Within the two weeks, the district plans on unveiling revised elevation plans, updated floor plans, and more specific information related to expected operations costs and revenue projections.  Look for these plans on the district's web site, in district facilities, and at various special events around town this summer.

"One of the biggest challenges staff has is to ascertain whether or not the facility's programs can cover the cost to operate and maintain it.  Our research of comparable sized recreation centers in the area have revealed an expected utilities cost of $90,000 to $100,000 annually.  In 2008, we are allocating $102,600 for rent and utilities alone for our existing facilities.  In 2009, that allocation will be $175,200.  Should this project move forward, the money we are allocating today for rent and utilities of two buildings would be shifted to fund the new facility's costs. This does not account for the increased revenue the new facility's programs are expected to draw. That additional revenue will further fund the operational costs as well as generate an annual surplus that will fund equipment replacement schedules and ongoing facility maintenance.  We are very confident that once built, this facility will be self-sustaining," says Dan Garvy, director of parks and recreation.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008

Park District Receives Resident Feedback from Indoor Programming Space Community Advisory Committee

Increased demand for services and the conditions of existing indoor facilities has led the Lisle Park District to investigate the feasibility of constructing a new community recreation center.  The park district currently leases the Meadows Center, 5801 Westview Lane, from Lisle Community Unit School District 202, a relationship that has existed for over 20 years.  Much of the agency’s indoor programming, including Gentle Learning Preschool and the active adult programs, take place at this facility.

Because the existing conditions of the 40+ year-old former school building are cause for concern to both the park and school districts, the Lisle Park District staff and the Board of Park Commissioners have been working to explore all options available for the continued ability to provide quality indoor programming space.  "The cost to repair noted deficiencies in the 24,000 square foot facility, including complete roof replacement, remedying severe structural concerns, as well as the heating and air conditioning systems, electrical services, and fire suppression systems will be significant," director of parks & recreation Dan Garvy says.  "Acquiring the facility and addressing these deficiencies will cost in the millions of dollars, and at the end of the day the district will have done nothing to address its indoor space constraints." 

Over the past several weeks, the district has been working with Williams Architects, a Carol Stream based firm responsible for the construction of both Sea Lion Aquatic Park and The View Restaurant & Bar, in developing preliminary conceptual plans for a mulit-use, multi-generational facility that would be able to accommodate all of the current indoor programs.  The conceptual design takes into consideration the growing need for indoor programming space as well as incorporates feedback the district has received by residents.

Recently, members of Community Park Fitness (the park district operated fitness center) have expressed a desire for the Lisle Park District to provide more cardiovascular equipment.  Currently, the facility is located within the Lisle Park District Community Center located at 1825 Short Street.  According to Garvy, adding any more demand to the electrical service is not possible. 

Garvy also stated there are many other constraints and inadequacies that prevent the park district from being able to accommodate various community demands, including more program offerings, more diversity in program times, and just an overall lack of specific program space.

"When the current 15,000 square foot Community Center was constructed over 30 years ago, the Lisle Park District had only a handful of employees," says Garvy.  "Today, 15 full time employees and a fitness center occupy the space, and the associated electrical and mechanical requirements to support what the facility has become are beyond maxed out." 

The current conceptual plan calls for a 75,000 square foot facility that will provide space for early childhood programs, including the district's Gentle Learning Pre School, a fitness center, separate fitness class rooms, an arts and crafts room, three multi-use rooms, an indoor walking-jogging track, a senior wing, staff offices and two full-sized basketball courts.  There is also a design for a green roof over a portion of the conceptual facility.

Currently the Lisle Park District does not have access to its own full-sized indoor basketball court. "Right now, indoor youth sports programs are at the mercy of the school district.  While [School District] 202 continues to work with us, they are getting hard pressed to provide the park district with the space our programs demand," says athletic and youth camp supervisor Erica Wise.  "Because there is such a shortage of indoor gym space in our community, our participants have limited practice and playing time, and even when the facilities are available, we are forced to have our teams share courts for practice.  It has become a very frustrating experience for our participants."

Garvy says that no matter what the district ultimately decides to do, the cost to continue to provide the services our constituents are accustomed to receiving will require a large community investment.  In a report Garvy provided to the Board of Park Commissioners, he stated the first step in this phase of the project is to assemble a group of those familiar with district programs and facilities and aren't afraid to speak their minds.  Garvy's report continues, "Park district staff reached out to parents of participants in our pre-school and early childhood programs, youth sports & leagues, and teen programs; volunteer coaches; adults active in our fitness center and fitness & wellness classes; as well as seniors active in our active adult programs and trips.  Diversity was the primary goal in assembling this group of individuals, and we are thrilled with the volunteerism exhibited." 

For more information on public meetings and progress through this phase of the project, please visit www.lisleparkdistrict.org, or call 630-964-3410.

See Daily Herald Coverage