Lombard Park District invites residents to learn about proposed rec center

Lombard Park District is sponsoring two open houses Monday to introduce residents to plans to construct a recreation center on 5.8 acres on the southwest corner of Madison Meadow Park, on the former Fairwood School site.

However, Executive Director Paul Friedrichs said the project will not move forward unless construction bids come back next month between $10.5 million and $10.8 million.

The project would not require a tax increase and would be funded by reserves, non-referendum bonds and money from future budgets, Friedrichs said. Residents who responded to surveys in 2011 and 2013 reflected support for a new indoor recreation facility, but without a tax increase, he said.

Residents are invited to visit Sunset Knoll Recreation Center, 820 S. Finley Road, from 10 a.m. to noon or 5 to 7 p.m. Monday to learn more about the project.

Park officials will provide information about the conceptual plans for the building, which could be under construction by as early as this spring. Baby-sitting will be available for parents who want to take time to review the plans without their children.

"We'd love to get their feedback, have us answer any questions they have about it, see the renderings, see the floor plans," Friedrichs said.

The center would house an indoor field house space, two multipurpose rooms, locker rooms with showers, a fitness center and a track. Group exercise classes, such as yoga, Pilates and Zumba, would be held in the facility, along with basketball, volleyball, pickleball and other sports leagues and programs.

The fitness center is expected to hold 25 to 30 pieces of cardio equipment and seven to 10 weight machines, along with free weights.

The park district is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2017, and Friedrichs said the time seems right for the project.

"We don't have any indoor walking at any facility, we do not own a gym, we don't own any type of field house," he said. "It's definitely a need in the community. The community is asking for it. We're just trying to provide that service."