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Elk Grove swimmers will be going elsewhere this summer

The Elk Grove Park District is gearing up for a nearly $7 million renovation and expansion of its Pavilion Aquatic Center starting this spring.

Construction begins next week on a new six-lane, 25-yard outdoor lap pool, a warm water exercise pool, an eight-lane, 25-yard indoor lap pool with diving area, new locker rooms, updated showers in the fitness center, and a new entrance to the aquatic area. The center's existing lagoon pool and whirlpool also will be updated.

Officials said the indoor renovation is expected to take up to a year to complete, followed by the completion of the new outdoor pool by Memorial Day 2014.

“We are hoping to have the indoor portion of the facility available (for use) in 10 to 12 months,” said Jeff Collier, park district superintendent of recreation.

Park district commissioners will pull the plug on the center's old pools after a final swim day from 3-6 p.m. Sunday at the facility, 1000 Wellington Ave. in Elk Grove Village. There will be children's games and crafts, and appearances by mascots, Ollie the Octopus and Roxy the Reptile. A family pool pass to Rainbow Falls will be raffled.

The park board has selected an architect and general contractor, and is expected to approve final subcontractor bids April 11.

The project is being funded largely through an $8.6 million bond issued earlier this year, of which $7.1 million has been earmarked for the Pavilion Aquatic Center renovation, said Tom Busby, park district finance director.

“We opened bids last week and they are still going through them,” Busby said. “If (the cost) happened to go over, then we would take it out of reserves, obviously assuming the board approves it.”

The district has a roughly $800,000 surplus over the minimum fund balance in its recreation fund, and a roughly $2.5 million surplus over the minimum fund balance in its corporate fund, Busby said.

It's the park district's first major renovation since the $10 million rehab of Rainbow Falls Waterpark, which reopened in 2006. The district also built a $5 million maintenance facility in 2009.

During renovation of the aquatic center, Elk Grove Village residents will have access to Schaumburg Park District facilities at resident rates for daily admissions and swim memberships, though not for birthday parties or rentals.

Residents also will be able to use Mount Prospect Park District's facilities for aquatics facility passes and aquatics programs, and a Roselle Park District's facility for swimming and diving lessons, aqua fitness classes and special events at resident rates.

Elk Grove Park District programs, such as swim team and swim lessons, will be conducted at Elk Grove High School, while river walking, aqua aerobics and aquatics special events will be offered at Rainbow Falls Waterpark this summer.

Details will be included in the summer brochure.

The updated Pavilion Aquatic Center will have a six-lane outdoor lap pool and eight-lane indoor pool. Courtesy of Williams Architects
  Jason Dale, an employee of the Elk Grove Park District Pavilion Aquatic Center, points out how the 25-yard indoor pool will be expanded starting next week. The entire renovation will last at least a year, officials said. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Avid swimmer Ben Daish of Elk Grove Village will have to travel further to swim during construction. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com

Elk Grove pool alternatives

Elk Grove Village residents will be able to use the following neighboring park district facilities at resident rates:

Schaumburg Park District

Ÿ Atcher Island — 730 S. Springinsguth Road

Ÿ Bock Pool — 1223 W. Sharon Lane

Ÿ Community Recreation Center/ The Water Works — 505 N. Springinsguth Road

Ÿ Meineke Pool — 220 E. Weathersfield Way

Ÿ Schaumburg Tennis Plus — 1416 N. Payne Road

Mount Prospect Park District*

Ÿ RecPlex — 420 W. Dempster St.,

Ÿ Lions Recreation Center — 411 S. Maple St.

Ÿ Central Community Center — 1000 W. Central Road

Roselle Park District*

ŸClauss Recreation Center — 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

*registration must be done in person at locations

Through summer, swim team and swim lessons will be held at Elk Grove High School; and river walking, aqua aerobics, and aquatics special events will be offered at Rainbow Falls. For details, (847) 593-6248 or <a href="http://www.elkgroveparks.org">elkgroveparks.org</a>.

Source: Elk Grove Park District

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