Park District Moves Ahead with Facility Plans

According to a recent survey by the Park District, 55 percent of Lisle residents don't know that the district pays $160,000 to use the Meadows Center each year.

The Lisle Park District has long been in pursuit of a more modern, less expensive space to replace the building on Short Street, and a move could finally happen by September 2011.

After an unsuccessful referendum to build a new community center in 2008, the district has been quietly shopping around for a new building. In early September Dan Garvy, director of Parks and Recreation, announced the district's intention to buy a building just west of the current Community Center at 1825 Short St. The Park District won rezoning rights at the Sept. 27 village meeting.

The building in question is home to Micro Sun Technologies and Amphenol Corp., at 1925 Ohio St. The building's proximity to Community Park will allow the park district to keep all of its activities in a central area.

Both Micro Sun and Amphenol will be leaving the building, and the district has secured a $3.15 million sale agreement with the property's owner, contingent upon the village's approval to rezone the industrial property for recreational use.

Garvy submitted the proposal to the village's planning and zoning commission on Sept. 15, with a plan of the space's current design. He explained that while the district has been working with architects, it has "been conservative" about drawing up proposed plans before a sale is finalized.

Similar zoning changes have been approved for Pump It Up and the Walker Athletic Complex. The committee voted to recommend approval of the rezoning because the proposed plan is consistent with surrounding properties, and the "overall plan" of Community Park.

According to the park survey, which residents completed this spring, over 60 percent of responders support the move to the Park District's epicenter. Fifteen percent stated they opposed the idea.

The space at 1925 Ohio St. is nearly 50,000 square feet smaller than what was proposed two years ago. In a statement, Garvy explained that administrative offices, preschool classes and early development classes would be conducted in the new building; the fitness center would remain at Community Center, which would also host fitness and wellness classes, and adult education programs. The Park District would continue to maintain the Meadows Center playground and corresponding ball field.

At this time the district plans to use two-thirds of the building's space.

"We want something that the Park District can grow into as funds and support become available," Garvy said.

Pending its environmental site assessment to ensure conditions won't prove hazardous to patrons, the Park District would begin interior renovations as early as April 2011. Garvy said they would like renovations to be complete to open the building for preschool classes next year.