Expansion of Barrington rec center ahead of schedule

The Barrington Park District's expansion of the Langendorf Park recreation center is nearing completion, and the grand opening is now expected a couple months ahead of schedule.

One of the best parts about the project is that neither construction of the new areas nor the coming demolition of the old will have any impact on programs going on inside the center, park district Director Terry Jennings said.

Just about the only transitional period will come in mid- to late November when employees and equipment will move from the old areas to the new, she added.

However, this will coincide with what is typically a slow time for programs at the recreation center. The grand opening ceremony is now planned for Jan. 9.

"Our new state-of-the-art fitness center will be ready for New Year's resolutions," Jennings said.

About 10,000 of the old building's 23,000 square feet will be retained. This includes the current gym, the bathhouse adjoining the Aqualusion aquatics facility and the space used by the present fitness center, which will be given a different use.

The finished facility will be 55,600 square feet. Voters approved its construction, approving expenditure of $12 million in February 2008.