St. Charles parks ask for bond OK

For the first time in nearly a decade, the St. Charles Park District is turning to voters Tuesday for funding of $25 million in capital projects.

The district is proposing a bond-issue referendum to pay for major renovations at the 70-year-old Pottawatomie Pool and the construction of a pool complex at Campton Hills Splash Park.

The referendum carves out additional funds for the creation of an environmental education center, land acquisition, athletic facility improvements and neighborhood park enhancements.

Here's what you need to know before going to the polls:

Q. What's the need?

A. St. Charles park officials say the time has come to act upon years of careful planning, based largely on community outreach and ongoing development.

Resident surveys and recommendations from several citizen advisory panels were considered in drafting the referendum proposal, which would fund the district's first swimming pool west of the Fox River.

Parks Director Jim Breen said existing aquatic facilities are crowded, with about 89,000 people visiting Campton Hills Splash Park and Pottawatomie Pool in 2007. About 130 people remain on waiting lists for swimming lessons, which attracted 1,675 visitors that same year, he added.

"We're really bursting at the seams at this point in time," Breen said.

The aging Pottawatomie Pool is in need of repairs to fix problems such as pitted concrete and a corroded piping system. Park officials have proposed other improvements as well, such as the addition of family bathrooms and renovated locker rooms.

Meanwhile, upgrades at three athletic facilities -- East Side Sports Complex, Langum Park and Davis Park -- and 14 neighborhood parks are needed to keep up with the tens of thousands of annual users, Breen said.

As for land acquisition, the district is eyeing natural areas that have yet to be developed, officials said.

"We're still experiencing growth in the community," Breen said. "We'd like to get those last remnants of natural areas that still exist."

Q. How will the money be spent?

A. The bulk of the bond issue would cover pool-related projects.

Officials have proposed $6.3 million in renovations and improvements at Pottawatomie Pool. The expense includes the addition of a zero-depth entry point, new play features for children, a second diving board and a renovated concession stand.

At Campton Hills Splash Park, the district would spend $10.9 million on a pool with a zero-depth activity area, eight lap lanes, slides and a "Lazy River." That amount also includes the construction of family restrooms, a stage and concession stands.

Next on the list is the environmental education center, which is expected to cost $4 million. To be located at Campton Hills Park, the 12,000-square-foot center would provide classroom and exhibit space for programs that already reach 7,000 adults and children.

Two million dollars would be set aside for buying land that could be used as recreational sites or preserved as wildlife habitat, woodlands, prairies or wetlands.

The district also proposes nearly $800,000 in renovations and improvements at 14 neighborhood parks. These enhancements could include new playground equipment, tennis and basketball court improvements and safety upgrades.

Q. What will it cost you?

A. The owner of a $300,000 house would pay about $45 a year in additional taxes over the next two decades.

The cost would be closer to $15 for the owner of a $100,000 house; $30 for the owner of a $200,000 house; and $62 for the owner of a $400,000 house.

The tax increase would be eliminated in 20 years, when the bonds mature.

Park officials say they also plan to continue seeking local, federal and state grants, which over the last 17 years have yielded more than $9 million for projects.

District taxes currently make up about 6.3 percent of a typical St. Charles resident's tax bill, parks officials said.

Q. Where can you get more information?

A. Call (630) 584-1055 or go to www.st-charlesparks.org.