Centennial Beach to get makeover

Updated locker rooms, improved traffic patterns and better handicapped access are all on the horizon for Naperville's Centennial Beach.

The Naperville Park District unveiled its plans Thursday for roughly $5 million in improvements to the limestone bathhouse that opened in 1935.

The staff has been working to balance modern amenities with the historical character of the building that serves the beach, an old quarry site.

After gathering comments from the public, officials created a proposal for a 725-square-foot addition to the west side of the bathhouse that will provide two entries into the admissions area.

"If you have a lot of folks that come to the bathhouse at one time, this access and layout will better allow us ... to filter through patrons," said Eric Shutes, director of planning.

There will also be a 765-square-foot addition on the north side of the building for offices and storage.

The park district plans to update locker rooms, showers and bathrooms and provide additional space for families and people with special needs. The proposal improves handicapped access both in and around the bathhouse.

The building's infrastructure will also need major upgrades, which could include pipes, electric, sewer and water. But staff members plan to keep as much of the original building intact as possible and said they would look into matching the stonework of the additions to the original.

"We understand the tremendous historical significance of this building," Shutes said.

Outside, the proposal calls for reconfiguring traffic patterns, adding a bus drop-off and pickup area on the south side of Jackson Avenue and designating pedestrian crossing areas in the parking lot. Handicapped parking spaces are also arranged so that these patrons will not have to cross traffic to reach the bathhouse.

The beach will have two concessions areas to provide enough space for people both bringing and buying their food.

Centennial Beach has been recognized as one of the 150 greatest places in Illinois by the American Institute of Architects.

"It's such a special place in the city and surrounding area because it touches all of us," board President Suzanne Hart said Thursday.

The bathhouse also underwent renovations in 2003 and 2004 that included concrete decks, a water circulation system and lighting.

The latest round of renovations could start a year from now and are expected to be complete in May 2010.

To view the proposal, visit napervilleparks.org.