Plans for Naperville's Centennial Beach changing

The Naperville Park District is tweaking its plans for providing food at Centennial Beach.

Plans for a new concession building with the capability for outdoor grilling were thrown for a loop when officials learned the DuPage County Health Department will not allow them to cook outdoors except with a 14-day permit.

Park district planners went back to the drawing board and revised the concession building designs, enlarging the building to fit the necessary equipment indoors.

Doing so also upped the price.

Staff originally estimated the concession building would cost $384,000 but said Wednesday the required changes will raise the cost by about $165,000.

Park board commissioners also have several options for equipping their concession building.

They can contract with a vendor to provide food and require that vendor to purchase the necessary warming equipment.

Another option is for the park district to purchase the warming equipment like pizza and hot dog warmers and microwaves, which would cost about $58,000.

The third option is to purchase and install cooking equipment like a kitchen hood, fire suppression system, gas-fired griddle and char broiler. This option would cost about $40,000.

Planners currently are recommending purchasing cooking equipment.

"The cooking capability does provide for the greatest flexibility," said Brad Wilson, director of recreation.

Park district commissioners will decide how to proceed when they meet Aug. 12.

Eventually they also will need to decide whether the park district will handle the food service or if it will contract with a vendor.

The new concession facility not only will be serving beach patrons but also will be accessible to anyone else along the Riverwalk.

Wilson said annual concession revenues at the beach are currently about $80,000 but could go up to $140,000.

The new concession building is part of a larger project that also includes renovating the bathhouse at Centennial Beach.

The plans call for improved lockers and restrooms, a new entrance area and improved drop-off area.

Other enhancements include a platform lift to improve handicapped accessibility, new mechanical systems and other infrastructure upgrades.

The original limestone bathhouse was built in 1934.

It underwent renovation in 2003 and 2004 that included concrete decks, a water circulation system and lighting.

The latest project, which was originally estimated at $5.5 million, is scheduled to begin after Labor Day and is expected to be ready for the 2011 beach season.