Main Street center revamp a success

A newly renovated Main Street Recreation Center is getting positive reviews in Glen Ellyn.

The park district facility at 501 Hill Ave. has been gutted, refurbished and remodeled as part of a roughly $2.3 million project.

"It was showing its age, and we're very happy with how the facility turned out," Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo said. "It's very functional, and it's going to last for a long time."

Improvements to the three-story center include new gymnasium floors, reconfigured bathrooms, another entrance at the north side of the building and two additional conference rooms that can be used as preschool rooms.

The renovation project was part of the $11.9 million voters agreed to give the park district last fall. Remaining funds will be used to acquire land and build a new recreation center at Ackerman Park.

The facility originally was built in 1928, and an addition was constructed in 1948.

Residents say they appreciate the latest upgrades.

Carie Germain of Glen Ellyn, whose 4-year-old son, Andrew, is in his second year of preschool, said the park district made a good decision to renovate the facility.

"It's just a fresher, newer look," Germain said. "It feels cleaner."

Jean Apostolou, who voted in favor of the referendum, agreed.

"It was pretty run down before," she said. "Now it's just cleaner and healthier."

The facility reopened last month. Still, some finishing touches need to be made.

Still, Eleanor Nelson, who's been playing with the Senior Card Club at the facility since 1990, appreciates what's been completed.

"It's very nice," she said. "Everything's been done perfectly."