Tax for pool in Addison poised to fail

Addison Park District's request to borrow $14 million for a new aquatic center and athletic fields failed to gain voter support Tuesday.

With all 26 precincts reporting, about 60 percent of voters rejected Tuesday's tax increase request, according to unofficial results.

If it would have passed, this proposal would have added about $66 more the first year for the owner of a $300,000 house.

The proposal would have funded construction of a large aquatic center and three athletic fields at Centennial Park, near Route 53 and Lake Street.

Addison's existing 35-year-old pool in Community Park is slated to close to make way for the village's Town Center project. A new splash pad, which opened last summer at Community Park, will remain open.

Mark McKinnon, park district executive director, said the current pool is likely to close within the next five years.

"People keep asking if the old pool is really moving, and the answer is 'yes,'" McKinnon said Tuesday. "That's why we were trying to get (the new pool) done before that happens."

Officials said they don't plan to put the question back on the November ballot.

"I think we'd probably wait for a year from now at the earliest," said McKinnon. "We have no definite plans right now."

Plans for the proposed aquatic center include an eight-lane lap pool with a spectator viewing area.

Plans call for that pool to connect with a wheelchair-accessible, zero-depth leisure pool and a vortex pool. The center also would offer a lazy river, waterslides and concessions.

The plan also includes a regulation-size turf field and two smaller grass fields. A turf field would be accessible to those with disabilities.