Palos Heights officials are considering a referendum question for the November ballot to ask voters for a $17 million bond issue to pay for recreation and pool facilities to replace aging structures.
Massimo Bianchini of Orland Park-based Architectural Resource Corp. and Jim Ludens of Aquatic Design LLC, Schaumburg, presented plans for a new recreation center and aquatic center at 120th Street and 76th Avenue this week during a City Council committee-of-the-whole meeting.
The city’s Finance Committee is recommending the city place a question on the ballot stipulating that $9.5 million be issued first to build the recreation center, with the rest of the money coming only if the city has at least $7 million remaining in its general obligation bond capacity.
The committee also stipulated that the current recreation center at 6601 W. 127th St. be sold for at least $1 million and that the new recreation center break even or show a profit before the remaining bonds are issued.
The rec center would contain 56,500 square feet, more than double the size of the existing facility, and would include a 13,000-square-foot gymnasium, lap pool, therapy pool, fitness center, walking track, senior lounge and teen center. It would also have more parking spaces, according to Mark Purcell, director of parks and recreation.
The aquatic center would have a 50-meter, six-lane lap pool, two water slides, a wading pool, family changing area, locker rooms and spray park.
The pool would cost about $4 million. Some of the other costs include about $1.2 million for relocating a baseball field and playground, and providing two new tennis courts, new lighting and underground detention. Purcell said if the bonds are issued, homeowners could expect about a $45 per $1,000 of assessed valuation increase on their property tax bills.
The City Council is expected to vote on the matter Tuesday.
