Antioch pool site put back in question

Antioch can add "location" back to the list of obstacles that need to be overcome before the village will get its aquatic center.

The village board voted 4-2 this week to ignore a two-year-old resolution designating the Bitner Farm as the site of the aquatic center.

At the same time, the board has established -- for the first time since a new pool was discussed six years ago -- a timeline for the project.

Trustees Robert Caulfield, Larry Hanson, Dennis Crosby and Michael Wolczyz voted in favor of taking the Bitner property off the table for now to leave the door open for Lindenhurst, which has asked Antioch to consider partnering on an aquatic center.

"Everything is a compromise, and you can't have the best of the best because we don't have the money for that," Wolczyz told residents Monday. "If we consolidate with Lindenhurst, maybe we can give you a project we can use 365 days a year. Is it in your backyard? No."

The village purchased the Bitner Farm, located along the south side of North Avenue across from Nelson Road, in 2005 for $425,000. Since then, $19,000 has been spent on architectural work to create nine concept plans for the aquatic center.

In May 2006, a sign was put on the parcel designating it the future home of the Antioch Aquatic Center. Later that year the village made it official with the resolution that was dissolved this week.

"It seems to me that you are totally discounting the hard work we have put into this because we didn't give you the answer you were seeking," said Jeffrey Benes, park board chairman.

Trustees Bob McCarty and Scott Pierce said they believe the pool should be in Antioch and the Bitner Property is the best location.

Anticipating his fellow board members' decision, Pierce introduced a resolution establishing a timeline for the project and promising to ask voters for approval through a referendum.

Board members applauded Pierce's efforts and said they would vote on his resolution at their next meeting.

Under Pierce's plan, the type of aquatic facility and its amenities will be chosen within two months.

Four months from now a possible location will be identified and voted on and by September, cost and funding sources will be identified and voted on.

"We've flailed along for six years and if we don't want to flail any longer; let's put a timeline on this," Pierce said. "I don't think Lindenhurst is the best thing, but I'm willing to compromise and look at both options."