St. Charles seniors deserve more
It's the time of year when the St. Charles Park District distributes its catalog of upcoming programs. As usual, the 100-page catalog is well done, and is expensive, too.
But this year the publication contains a surprise. The district proposes building a new facility on the far west side of the district. It will cost $28 million and the district wants us to pay for it.
The facility will be called The Family Recreation Center. The catalog contains a rough description of what physical equipment will be installed and who will use it. The district organizes its programs by age groups and there is some connection with age groups and the layout of the building.
It is realistic to expect the taxpayers know specifically what they will get out of this deal. Also, they can't be expected to contribute to something they can't use.
My age group is referred to as "senior." I am very active in the community and understand the needs of those in this age group.
I would ask the district to build a facility that contains a leisure pool that would be building to the specific requirements needed by the elderly. It would be open all year and would also be a gathering place for the elderly. No such place exists in the district. Recreation consists of mental and physical activity. A pool allows the user to enjoy both elements.
In the 100-page catalog that is organized by age groups, the seniors get just two pages out of 100. The seniors deserve more attention than they are getting.
Bill Murray
St. Charles