South Elgin plans to spend nearly $5.4 million renovating the former Lions Club building for use by the village’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The village bought the 500 Fulton St. site, which includes an 8,000-square-foot building, 52-stall parking lot and 1.5 acres of land for $365,000 in October 2020.
Architecture and engineering firm Wright & Co. was hired to come up with a plan to renovate it for use as a “facility for programming and activities, such as senior gatherings, classes, summer camp and more,” village spokesman Craig Pierce said.
To help fund the work, South Elgin will apply for a Park and Recreation Facility Construction grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, according to a village document. The grant could provide up to 75% of a project’s cost up to a maximum of $2.5 million.
Officials also plan to seek about $320,000 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant money, the document said.
Pierce said the village wants to repurpose the old Lions Club building because its existing Parks and Recreation Annex building at 1 W. State St. is located in a flood plain. That prohibits South Elgin from investing in major maintenance or upgrades such as a new roof or HVAC replacement under the Kane County Stormwater Ordinance.
“While the annex building remains safe and functional, the village recognizes it’s not a viable long-term solution (for the department’s future needs),” Pierce said. “The facility at 500 Fulton Street offers a nearby alternative within a beautiful park setting along the Fox River. When complete, the facility will provide the village’s first dedicated senior gathering spot, preschool classrooms and more.”
A public forum on the plans was held earlier this month and drew 46 residents who were briefed on grant opportunities and what happens next in the renovation process, he said. Officials from the parks department will provide a similar update to village trustees at a future meeting, he said.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
