Forum set on Huntley Park District referendum

Huntley Park District officials are conducting an informational forum Tuesday on the March 18 ballot question seeking voter approval to borrow $18.75 million to build an indoor, artificial turf facility, and possibly buy and develop more land or upgrade existing park facilities.

The forum will be from 7 to 8 p.m. at the park district's Rec Center, 12015 Mill St.

The proposed turf facility - to be built west of Deicke Park off Route 47 - 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 also would be included.

Park district officials recently met with roughly 70 Sun City residents primarily concerned about future tax increases, if voters approve the bond issuance, and the need for such a facility.

Eugene Rhodes, 75, a member of the Sun City civics committee who moderated the forum, said a majority of the residents seemed opposed to the idea of the turf facility.

"We have most everything they want to put in," Rhodes said. "We have an indoor track that you can walk already, and we do have bocce (ball) courts. We don't need the two soccer fields. People were worried about how much it's going to cost. We don't feel like there's a big need for it."

With roughly 11,000 people living in Sun City's 5,481 homes, it's a powerful voting block that could significantly impact election results. However, not all its residents are against the turf facility.

"I think the idea is good," said Ralph Chiapetta, Sun City bocce ball club president.

Chiapetta said the club has 740 members who play six days a week, some traveling to indoor facilities in other towns in hot weather and severe cold to play.

"It's such a popular sport," he said. "If you can have it indoors, it would be even better. Mostly in the winter time when it's cold, the Huntley Park District would be a great place to go."

If approved by voters, residents won't pay more in property taxes because the park district would restructure existing debt. Taxes could go down with restructuring of current bonds. However, if voters reject the bond issue, taxpayers would see a reduction, on average, of $125 per year, according to the park district.

Various athletic groups support the turf facility idea because there is none like it in the Huntley area. The closest ones are in DeKalb, Schaumburg and Palatine.

"The Huntley area community and youth sports is hungry for something like this," said Nick Andrea, president of Huntley Youth Sports Organization. "There's many activities that go on in the fall and spring that would carry on into the winter, if they have a facility like this. Some people would just see it as an added expense, other people might see it as a way for the community to grow."

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.