Wheeling board backs land swap

The Wheeling village board has given final approval to the subdivision of land to be swapped between the village and Wheeling Park District.

Acting Village President Judy Abruscato said this is a step toward closing the deal.

"It will move the project along a bit faster," she said.

The board also gave partial approval to the park district's plan to add 54 parking spaces to the lot between the main entrances of the community recreation center and aquatic centers.

The 32.9 acres, which includes village hall, the former public works building and the aquatic center, will ultimately house a new village hall and expanded park facilities.

Village Manager J. Mark Rooney said the village will get nearly six acres from the park district and give more than eight acres in return.

The overall plan also includes a new driveway with a traffic light at Dundee Road for St. Joseph the Worker.

The church sold 20 acres to the park district, including ball fields it was leasing.

With the 20 acres and the village property -- once the former public works building is demolished, asphalt and fuel tanks are removed and environmental work is done -- the park district will have about 27 more acres of open space, Rooney said.

"We will have truly a village campus," Rooney said, not just a municipal campus.

Work on the site is expected to start in October.