Still a lot to settle for Settler's Hill cross-country facility
Geneva residents have spent the past year awaiting the results of an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency review of plans to bring a regional cross-country facility to the former Settler's Hill landfill. But once that wait is over, there may be an even larger obstacle to address.
Kane County Board members spent $180,000 on the second phase of engineering for the project nearly one year ago. That work ensured the course would meet national competition standards. Two months ago, the county sent the plans to the Illinois EPA for a 90-day review.
But Ken Anderson, the county's director of environmental and water resources, said the agency is only about halfway through the review process. He anticipates a 30-day extension even after the 90 days expire.
The agency just doesn't have the manpower to stick to its own deadlines, Anderson said.
County officials aren't anticipating any obstacles to an eventual approval by the Illinois EPA. But the biggest obstacle may come from the county board itself.
Kurt Kojzarek leads the county board committee in charge of the Settler's Hill project. He said the cross-country project will not move forward unless and until the volunteer group that will run the facility finds enough sponsors for the course so that it at least breaks even. A study of the facility in 2015 showed it would lose money for the first 10 years.
"We're not even taking a negative first year," Kojzarek said. "We want it paid for. We're not going to add any extra burden to our taxpayers."
That news came as a bit of a surprise to John Martin. He is the county board member who represents the district where Settler's Hill is.
Martin said there are too many unknowns at this point to start determining costs and how to pay for them.
"I don't think that the concept, overall, has ever been that we will break even Day One," Martin said. "You have to be able to project a timeline of economics so we can evaluate it and make the decision as to whether or not it should continue as a cross-country course or revert to a passive use. By definition, it can't break even on Day One because you have to start it first. This is going to be a step-by-step evaluation."
The cross-country course did get county board Chairman Chris Lauzen's stamp of approval during his re-election announcement speech. To that end, Kojzarek agreed there is more work to be done on the facility.
"I guarantee you something will get done," Kojzarek said.
"We're just trying to find out the best way to utilize the funds. Government moves slow by design."