In the first referendum to be approved since 1966, voters this week authorized the Naperville Park District to borrow $120 million to purchase two new open space areas and to build an activity center with three different types of swimming pools.
“This has been a community driven process,” park district Executive Director Brad Wilson said. “We’ve heard from the community for quite some time about their interest in more indoor recreation space and preserving open space. And we’re just excited to be able to present that to the community, have them weigh in on it and be able to move forward.”
For nearly two years, the park district has made a concerted effort to reach out to residents and better understand how they can meet the community’s needs, culminating in the decision to seek voter permission to raise taxes to repay the bonds needed to fund the two highest priority initiatives.
With approval now granted, planning is underway for both projects.
The $119 million activity center will be built at the Frontier Sports Complex on the city’s south side. In addition to an eight-lane, 25-yard lap pool, a warm water therapy pool and an activity pool with water slide, play features and additional lap lanes, the facility will have exercise rooms, gymnasiums, and a walking and jogging track.
Naperville’s only swimming facility right now is Centennial Beach, which is an outdoor seasonal venue.
A conceptual design and initial engineering have been done to determine cost estimates for the facility, Wilson said, and now the district will move full speed ahead in finding an architect to develop the final design and drawings. That will require about a year before construction can begin.
“We’re meeting as staff throughout the course of the day (Wednesday) to begin those next steps of engaging and then preparing to bring recommendations to the board at upcoming meetings,” Wilson said. Architect recommendations should be ready to present to the park board this spring, he said.
If they break ground in 2027, the facility should open in 2029. The plan is to complete the entire project at once rather than doing it in phases, Wilson said.
As for the purchase of the nature areas, the district will move forward this year with buying 5.7 acres of wooded land adjacent to Walnut Ridge Park and 6.5 acres of land to expand Heritage Woods, he said. Acquiring the properties will cost about $5 million.
Once purchased, the district will begin restoration work and trail development. They will need to do tree maintenance on the Walnut Ridge Park-adjacent parcel and to remove buildings on the Heritage Woods property. Both properties open to the public sometime next year, officials said.
With the referendum now approved, a Naperville property owner with a home valued at $500,000 will pay about $117 more a year in taxes paid starting in 2027. The debt will be assessed for 20 years or less.
While the projects will primarily be funded with taxpayer money and budget reserves, Wilson said the district will continue to seek other sources of funding to offset costs. New revenue sources could include private donations and grant money.
If the project ends up costing more than expected, district officials will work with the park board to adjust the fitness center’s scale to fit the budget.
“Looking at the district’s track record, and with large facilities like the Fort Hill Activity Center, that facility was delivered on time and within budget. And that will be our goal with these projects as well,” Wilson said.
cstein@chicagotribune.com
