Huntley parks to seek voter OK for new facility

The Huntley Park District will seek voter approval next year for an $18.75 million construction bond to build a new indoor, artificial turf facility, west of Deicke Park off Route 47.

The referendum question will be on the March 18 ballot.

Residents wouldn't have to pay more in property taxes because the district would restructure existing debt, officials said.

The district borrowed $9.35 million over 15 years for the REC Center and aquatic center. Those bonds are set to expire in 2015. Bonds issued for purchase of the Pinecrest Golf Club — $5.7 million over 15 years — are set to be retired by 2018.

The park board decided to hold off on the addition of an outdoor, competitive swimming pool at the Stingray Bay Aquatic Center, off Route 47 and Mill Street, with the hope of possibly building an indoor pool down the road, park district Executive Director Thom Palmer said.

Expanding the outdoor pool was a compromise to what the community really wants, Palmer said.

“It goes back to the original survey and the input from the community back in 2011 (with) regard to an indoor pool,” he said. “Allocating resources to the outdoor pool could not be favorable in the future, if an opportunity for an indoor pool comes along. It's still out there on the wish list. We hope to look at that when the time comes. There could be another partner to do that with, whether public or private.”

Construction of the turf facility, originally estimated to cost between $9 million and $10 million, is now expected to cost roughly $16.5 million, Palmer said.

“That would be used by a greater number of residents and visitors to the district,” Palmer said.

The park district serves 40,000 residents within the village, the western portions of Lake in the Hills and Algonquin, and rural areas west of Huntley.

If approved by voters, the remainder of the bond money would be used for future land purchase and development, Palmer added.

If voters reject the bond issue, they would see a reduction, on average, of $125 per year. If voters approve the bond issue, their taxes could still go down with restructuring of current bonds, officials have said.

The turf facility would include a recreation area featuring bocce ball, multipurpose rooms, and two indoor soccer field-sized areas that can be used for football, soccer, lacrosse, and marching band practice. The 250 feet-by-250 feet turf area would be encircled by a rubberized walking track for winter walkers. Bleachers would also be included.

There isn't a similar facility in the Huntley area. The closest ones are in DeKalb, Schaumburg and Palatine, Palmer said.

While Huntley School District 158 is looking to build a field house at the high school, it would not compete with the park district's proposed turf facility.

“It is very different than a standard gymnasium field house,” Palmer said.

Palmer said the turf facility will be available to District 158 students after school until about 5:30 p.m. for their sporting needs.

The facility is expected to be self-sustaining operationally, which was an important factor in the decision to move forward with the plans, he added.