Glen Ellyn's Ackerman center opens Saturday
After two attempts at securing financing, 14 months of construction and roughly $11.2 million, the Glen Ellyn Park District finally has its crown jewel: an 88,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art sports and fitness center that officials say is a dream realized.
Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center will have its official grand opening from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 800 E. St. Charles Road. As part of the festivities, former major league baseball players Dan Pasqua, Mike Huff and Jim Adduci will be on hand, as will the 2005 Chicago White Sox World Series trophy. Rock climbing wall demonstrations and a wheelchair basketball tournament are other planned highlights.
Though the political road to Ackerman's opening has been rocky, officials agree on one thing: the place is phenomenal.
"This is really catered toward families with kids," said Commissioner Jay Kinzler, who was elected last spring. "What a great thing this is going to be."
The complex's $11.2 million price tag has grown about $3.8 million since voters approved a financing plan in November 2006.
Commissioner Sandy Minogue, who was on the board when voters approved the financing and who finished a one-year term as board President Tuesday, said the building could help the board handle any further turmoil.
"It's fantastic," Minogue said. "This building has been a dream for a long time. It's been a dream that came true. It's made it all worth it."
After voters in the spring of 2006 rejected a tax increase for the project, officials went back to voters that November, hoping to pass a reworked plan for $11.9 million, including $7.4 million earmarked for Ackerman.
The additional cost is being paid for with $3.2 million in non-referendum bonds approved by the board in April and sold in August.
"The board made a decision to build the building of the future with future dollars," said Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo.
Between the time bids were let in July 2008 and the facility's unofficial opening last week, the district agreed to build office and storage space for the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. Also, an agreement with the Chicago Bulls/Chicago White Sox Training Academy in Lisle has brought the opening of the Glen Ellyn White Sox Academy, a baseball skills training center that will be run by the academy and housed at Ackerman.
Two climbing walls are located just inside the front doors, and a fitness center with new equipment overlooks the 60-by-40-yard indoor soccer field on the east side of the building.
In addition, three regulation-sized high school basketball courts are in a gymnasium on the west side of the building. District officials say they hope the center eventually becomes a source of revenue with leagues and they hope to draw residents of surrounding communities to the center.
Also, day-care facilities and an area for birthday parties also could provide the district income.
With the controversy over Ackerman seeming to quiet now that the facility is open, board President Ed Hess said the outcome will be an asset to Glen Ellyn.
"I am proud of what we have built here," he said. "When our organizations get in here, it's going to be great."
If you goWhat: Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center grand openingWhen: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. SaturdayWhere: Ackerman Park, 800 E. St. Charles Road, Glen EllynDetails: Chicago White Sox 2005 World Series trophy on display; former pro baseball players Jim Adduci, Mike Huff and Dan Pasqua; wheelchair basketball tournamentInfo: gepark.org or (630) 858-2462Features of the centerbull; 7,000-square-foot fitness centerbull; Gymnasium with three regulation high school-sized basketball courtsbull; 60-by-40-yard indoor soccer/multipurpose fieldbull; Two rock climbing wallsbull; Glen Ellyn White Sox Academy (batting cages and baseball training)bull; Offices and storage for Western DuPage Special Recreation Associationbull; Day care and birthday party areasFalse20001389The White Sox Training Academy will offer baseball skills programs at Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center in Glen Ellyn.Bev Horne | Staff PhotographerFalse