Walls going up on Carol Stream rec center
Walls have started going up at what will become Carol Stream's new two-story, 90,846-square-foot recreation center at the Town Center.
Construction crews this week began installing the prefabricated concrete walls to form a structure that will become a three-court gymnasium. The walls are 12 feet wide, more than 40 feet tall, and weigh several tons each, park district officials said.
The $18 million rec center is the marquee project of the park district's $37 million improvement program approved by voters in a February 2010 referendum. The facility also will feature a 25-yard swimming pool, fitness center, running track and program rooms.
Over the winter, a geothermal heating/cooling system and building foundations were installed on the site at Gary Avenue and Fountain View Drive.
Consultants had evaluated whether it was wise to build on the land where "undocumented" fill soil had been added over the years. One soil boring report found 90 percent of the top layer of soil to be stable, and only a few areas needed added support for foundations.
The building is expected to be LEED certified for its "green" design.
Construction is expected to be complete by fall 2013, with a "hard opening" planned for that Labor Day weekend.