Woodridge Park District Considers Building Rec Center

The might build an athletic recreation center in Woodridge. 

The rec center has been part of the district's five-year capital improvement plans in 1998-2003 and 2005-2009 but was not completed due to capital priorities and budget restraints, according to a park district e-mail. 

"Recently, several potential financial opportunities have become available that would permit the construction of an athletic recreation center without a tax increase through referendum," the e-mail said. 

Those opportunities include debt retirement savings, local government partnerships and potential grant opportunities.

The park district has commissioned an independent study to look into the feasibility of constructing and operating the rec center.

The consultant will look at "comprehensive program space analysis, market study, trends analysis, construction feasibility, preliminary cost estimates, operational costs, revenue generation analysis and opportunities, impact on existing resources, and a detailed operational pro forma to assess the District's ability to operate the facility as an enterprise fund."

The results of the study will be available in the spring. 

Next steps will be to "gather public feedback, finalize partnership opportunities, pursue architectural design concepts/master plan, apply for available grants and finalize financial plan and development timeline."

The park district will post updated information regarding the rec center on its website.