The Park District of Oak Park will not be building an indoor pool, at least anytime soon.
Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a referendum question regarding $40 million sought by the Park District of Oak Park to build an aquatic center adjacent to the Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex. Unofficial vote totals show the measure failing by a three-to-one margin, with 11,972 residents opposed and 3,731 voting in favor.
The Park District will move forward with long-term plans to repair and upgrade Ridgeland pool, one of the district’s two outdoor pools, officials said. The repairs, expected to cost $10 million, would be completed in 2031 or 2032, said Jan Arnold, executive director for the Park District of Oak Park.
“What I really think voters said is that they would prefer to keep the nostalgia of the three month pool at Ridgeland … and we will respect that,” Arnold said.
The referendum was put to voters following a series of community surveys indicating a desire for an indoor aquatic facility.
The Park District proposed building a 10,000 square foot addition to the Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex for an aquatic center that would feature a 25-yard pool with six to eight lanes for lap swimming, a warm water pool for fitness, therapy and swim lessons and a splash pad with slides for children. The addition would have meant the closure of Ridgeland’s outdoor pool.
Voters were being asked for $40 million to cover construction costs of the indoor facility. If the measure was approved, the owner of a $400,000 home would have seen an increase of $150 in yearly property taxes to the Park District.
The Park District currently operates two outdoor pools — Ridgeland pool at 415 Lake St. and Rehm pool at 515 Garland St. While Rehm pool underwent extensive renovations in the early 2000s, Ridgeland pool, which was built in 1962, is in need of repairs.
Both pools will open this summer around Memorial Day weekend.
Arnold said the Park District will hold community input meetings, likely sometime in 2030, when the board begins discussions on improvements to Ridgeland pool.
She thanked residents who shared input in surveys and attended informational sessions about the referendum.
“This level of engagement reflects the community’s deep commitment to parks and recreation,” she said. “Moving forward, the district will evaluate options for the outdoor pool at Ridgeland Common while continuing to deliver meaningful and accessible programs.”
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
