New rec center moving forward in Barrington

Less than a year after voters approved the project, the Barrington Park District is gearing up to break ground on its new recreation center.

Park board President Christine Garry said the project is to go before Barrington's plan commission on Oct. 21, with hopes of getting final approval from the village in November.

"By December, we will be moving dirt," Garry said.

The park district is building a 55,800-square-foot recreation center to replace the current facilities at Langendorf Park, 235 Lions Drive.

The new building will include a state-of-the-art fitness center, locker rooms, a double gym with a walking track above it, a dedicated preschool and day care wing, new rooms and spaces for senior activities, community rooms and spaces for dance, aerobics and wellness programs.

The center will also allow for additional administrative offices and storage.

"We wanted to build something that was responsible and affordable," parks Executive Director Terry Jennings said.

Last February, voters approved a $12 million bond sale to fund the project. The new building is costing residents with homes valued at $500,000 an estimated $137 more a year in their property tax bills.

Still to be decided is what will happen to the park's access road, Lions Drive, which has been controlled and maintained by the park district since 1980 through an agreement with the village.

The village has been looking to reacquire control of Lions Drive for a possible future extension. The village and park district met behind closed doors recently to discuss the matter.

While she wouldn't talk specifics, Garry described the meeting as productive.

"There was some good dialogue," she said. "We are working toward an agreement."

Barrington Village President Karen Darch also declined to comment on the meeting's specifics but agreed the sides are working toward a solution.

"We really like their plans (for the recreation center) and we want it all to work out," Darch said.

Both boards are scheduled to meet again on Monday, Oct. 13.

The new recreation center will be just south of the existing facility. The Aqualusion Aquatics Center will remain as is, with the pool staying open throughout construction next summer.