advertisement

St. Charles park district makes case for rec center tax hike

St. Charles Park District Vice President Bob Carne was recently enjoying a run at the local XSport Fitness center when a friend told him two women at the gym were trash-talking the district's decision to ask local taxpayers for $28 million this April.

Carne sought them out. He wasn't looking for a confrontation. But Carne did want to sort through any misconceptions about why he and his fellow commissioners think now is the time to build a $23 million family recreation center and spend nearly $5 million on two synthetic turf fields.

Carne told the story Wednesday night at a park district informational open house on the referendum question that will ask voters April 7 to approve the tax increase.

"Why are you guys building that thing?" the women asked.

"Let's start with one thing," Carne responded. "I respect your opinion. But our residents, by 68 percent, have said they wanted a rec center in every survey we've done. If they don't want it, they'll vote 'no'.

"But you're putting private business out," the women countered. It turned out they were both part-time employees of XSport.

Carne had a surprising answer. Even once the park district's rec center is open, Carne is keeping his XSport membership.

"I have a crazy job schedule," Carne explained. "Sometimes I come in here at 3 or 4 a.m. The park district isn't going to keep hours like that."

Embedded in that statement is the other key hook for the tax increase beyond the polling numbers. Carne explained the proposed rec center would appeal to a different niche than local private gyms.

It's not a competitor. Rather it's looking to fill a need taxpayers have communicated to district commissioners.

The rec center's focus will be programming for youths, Carne said. Gyms don't offer youth basketball, volleyball and gymnastics classes, and leagues. That's what park districts are for, Carne explained. The district needs a rec center to provide space to expand those activities.

At the same time, commissioners want to build a fitness room and walking/running track as part of the rec center. The idea is to give Mom or Grandpa something active and healthy to do while the kids are in their classes or leagues.

If voters approve the tax increase, the owner of a $300,000 home would pay about $92 more to the park district on their annual property tax bills. District officials believe it will take about 20 years to pay off the bond debt for the project.

There's one more segment. Carne says there are at least 50 families in St. Charles who commute all the way to Aurora to take advantage of Fox Valley Special Recreation programming for their kids. The new, 81,800-square-foot rec center will provide space and activities for the same special-need families right in St. Charles.

"I guarantee you XSport is still going to thrive and probably grow," Carne said. "They are a different model. Our park district kids will grow up, move out of our facilities and go there."

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.