Lisle Park District’s new rec center getting rave reviews
Editor’s note: This story was updated to correctly identify Director of Parks and Recreation Dan Garvy in one photo.
Wrapped in a cobalt blue stripe, the new Lisle Park District facility is a blue-ribbon winning idea.
“We are in a good space right now,” Director of Parks and Recreation Dan Garvy said. “We made an existing building work and we absolutely love it.”
Garvy gives credit to the Lisle Park District board and intergovernmental cooperation in the village for finding a workable solution for the district’s indoor recreation needs.
The situation was different in November, 2008. Increased demand for services and poor conditions in existing indoor facilities led the district to recommend a new 75,000-square-foot building that included two full-sized basketball courts.
The proposed building would have used most of the district land in Community Park outside a flood plain, and caused considerable disruption in services as one building was leveled to make room for the new multilevel facility.
When voters rejected the district’s request to borrow $21.9 million for construction, things looked bleak.
Today, Garvy is quick to say, “The failed referendum is one of the greatest things that ever happened to the Lisle Park District.
“Sure (the proposed facility) would have been a great building,” he said, “but it would have compromised our ability to expand.”
To provide needed space and updated infrastructure, the district purchased a 40,000-square-foot light manufacturing building at 1925 Ohio St. that abuts the west side of Community Park.
“We looked at this building in 2002 and owners wanted $3.8 million then,” Garvy said. “We bought it for $3.15 million in 2011. We have been able to do some great things to this building at great prices.”
The single-level recreation center and administrative office building will better meet district programming needs with no tax increase and no additional employees. Better still, it’s not in the flood plain.
The district moved into the building last fall and Garvy recently discussed the impact the move has had on the district.
There are more activities, more community participation and employee morale is at an all-time high, he said.
“The only constraints we had were money and the outside walls,” Garvy said. “What makes it perfect is that we made it work with an existing building, without breaking the bank, without raising taxes and to rave reviews from everyone who has come through our door.”
The district worked with Williams Architects, a Carol Stream-based firm that also designed Sea Lion Aquatic Park.
With appropriate renovation, the structure now houses the district’s Gentle Learning Preschool within six secured and brightly colored classrooms. Each has its own bathroom. A common teacher work space with computer access connects each pair of rooms.
A nearby motor room that offers climbing and sliding apparatus soon will connect to an enclosed outdoor space with a poured rubber surface and play equipment.
There were 117 preschool students in 2011 and already 93 students are on the list for the fall of 2012, said Superintendent of Recreation Mike Toohey.
On the administrative office side of the building, many of the rooms, conference room, work stations and hallways were in place and needed only cosmetic changes.
“It helped to involve staff all along in the remodeling to get the best layout for our needs,” Garvy said.
The east end of the building houses the senior center next to convenient parking. The area has plenty of room for meetings, games and even privacy when a doctor or other professional arranges appointments.
Garvy said the district only had to clean the carpet and paint the walls to get that area ready. A row of cabinets and a pull-down projector screen are on the center’s wish list.
Senior programs attracted 3,201 participants in 2010. So far in 2012, 2,340 seniors have taken part in programs according to Toohey, who also credits the increase to the new Navistar bus the center uses.
Two good-sized multipurpose rooms are available to the community to rent. Fees range from $30 to $85 an hour, with an additional cost for the small kitchen, motor room or meeting rooms.
“Recently, we had three birthday parties in one day, “ Toohey said. “We could never have done that in the past.”
All the art on the walls is from the staff or photos of community programs.
Both men, meanwhile, are pleased the original 15,000-square-foot Community Fitness Center was restored back to its original intended use.
“We moved into that building with five full-time employees and moved out with 18 full-time employees,” said Garvy.
The fitness center’s renovation included creating two dance studios with sprung wood floors, ceiling-high mirrors and dance barres.
There are still areas in the new building for growth.
“We are not in the position to give consideration to a gym at this time,” Garvy said.
The district soon will earn an Earth Flag from SCARCE for its recycling efforts. The district collects batteries, crayons, gym shoes, paper, plastic bottles and soda cans for recycling.
“We couldn’t be more proud of what the community has allowed us to do,” Garvy said. “Our restraint and patience paid off.”
Ÿ Joan Broz writes about Lisle. Her columns appear twice a month in Neighbor.
Park district scholarship available
Lisle Park District has application forms available online for its annual Robert Kuzmicki Recreation Education Scholarships. Visit lisleparkdistrict.org/scholarship.htm.
The district offers two, $500 scholarships to high school seniors or current college students residing in the district who exhibit a strong work ethic, show a dedication to the community, or help advance environmental awareness.
Completed forms should be mailed, hand-delivered or emailed to: Lisle Park District Education Scholarship Committee, c/o Rachel Staats, 1925 Ohio St., Lisle, IL 60532, or rstaats@lisleparkdistrict.org no later than Monday, May 7.