Downers Grove Park District’s proposed recreational facility remains controversial, even though the plan has been scaled back by dropping an aquatic park.
About 40 people turned out for a recent Plan Commission meeting to discuss the $9 million facility that would be built at 4500 Belmont Rd.
The commission also considered a project proposed by the Indian Boundary YMCA, which wants to build a 3,000-square-foot outdoor pavilion on its campus at 711 59th St. Although the Park District’s proposal is much larger, both projects drew expressions of concern from neighbors.
The Park District’s plan calls for a two-story building to be constructed on 8.5 acres. The 69,000-square-foot building would include three gymnasiums, offices and 234 parking spaces.
Dan Cermak, Park District director, said the aquatic park was deleted from the project in response to neighbors’ concerns.
“We listened to public comment and decided a scaled-down project is more appropriate for the site,” he said.
Still, increased traffic, how storm water would be diverted, the impact of the Park District facility on nearby property values and whether residents want a new recreational facility at all were some of the concerns expressed by residents.
Although the plan also has a 2-acre park, one resident, Janet Barr, said she does not think the current design, which has a sidewalk near Belmont Road, would be safe.
“Children will be walking or riding their bikes within inches of cars,” she said. “I think it’s like asking them to walk on the shoulder of a busy highway.”
A traffic consultant hired by the Park District estimated that traffic on Belmont Road increased 15 to 20 percent between 1998 and 2000.
Park District officials predicted that traffic generated by the facility would be eased by adding a center turn lane on Belmont Road into the recreational center.
Gerald Brooks, an attorney for the Park District, said the Illinois Department of Transportation plans to transfer authority over Belmont Road to DuPage County, which will require the center turn lane.
Mike Salazar, a resident who also is running for the Park District Board, questioned whether a recreational facility is needed at all.
A referendum question that asked voters if they approved of building a recreational facility and aquatic park failed in the spring.
“This is a quasi-commercial facility that’s going to be supported by user fees,” he said. “The YMCA fills this need nicely already, but the Park District doesn’t own it. They want one too.”
Cermak said the Park District has done studies that indicate the facility is needed. Construction of the recreational center would be paid for from Park District funds.
Another resident said he likes the Park District’s plan.
“I know they’ve had a lot of opposition, but I think they’ve come up with a fantastic plan,” Hans Kaper said.
He also said he lives next to the Indian Boundary YMCA and has not seen his property values harmed .
“It’s certainly my experience that property values don’t go down when you live next to a facility like this,” said Kaper.
Other residents who live next to the YMCA, however, said they are not entirely pleased with the plan to add a permanent, outdoor pavilion that would be the site of activities for children who attend day camp.
YMCA officials said the pavilion would only be used during the day.
