Wheeling park board maps future

The Wheeling Park District board is putting its priorities into place with the help of a comprehensive plan that will lay the backdrop for the next few years.

The board discussed a final draft of the plan Thursday and is expected to vote Tuesday on accepting the document prepared by PROS Consulting.

Barbara Heller, with PROS, said her company has determined seven major initiatives for the district, including connecting bike trails, developing sports fields and finishing the complex being developed around Heritage Park.

The district also has to pay attention to the changing demographic in town, she said, including the aging population. Projections show the baby boomer population going up by about 6 percent, and the 18 to 34 population going down by about 10 percent in 15 years, according to Heller.

She said the district likely will not be able to keep only one part-time person to take care of senior activities and should come up with creative solutions. For example, she said, children and adults usually use facilities during the evenings or weekends.

"The seniors can be here during the day," she said.

Heller also stressed the fitness and wellness aspects of the park district and said Wheeling has the opportunity to become the center for fitness in the community.

"It's very important the district continue its efforts in outreach," she said.

Board member Jon Kolssak said that his major issue with the comprehensive plan is that the board hasn't had much to do with the process.

Most of the information in the plan came from a community survey done in 2005, staff input and visitations by PROS to the facilities.

Kolssak said he would have liked to have had a chance earlier in the process to give input and ask questions.

However, board President Tom Webber said that the board has had a chance to look at pieces of the plan, which in the end is just a guide and not set in stone.

"It's a start," he said. "It's a very, very in-depth strategic start with good data."

The board hired PROS in March to formulate the comprehensive plan; the whole process will cost a little under $20,000, according to Matt Wehby, community relations manager for the district.

The completed comprehensive plan will be up for board approval at its regular meeting Tuesday.