Barrington Park District proposes $18.8 million bond issue for Langendorf Park upgrades

The Barrington Park District will ask voters in April to approve an $18.8 million bond issue to pay for improvements at Langendorf Park, including a new pool, bathhouse and courts for platform tennis and pickleball.

Even if the measure passes, officials say, residents will see a decrease in how much they pay the district in property taxes.

That's because the $11.5 million in bonds sold through a 2002 referendum to acquire Citizens Park have been repaid in full. There should be a further decline in 2028, once the bonds sold to build the Fitness and Recreation Center in Langendorf Park are repaid.

If the referendum succeeds, the district says, the owner of a home worth $500,000 would pay $35 less per year to the district. That same property owner would pay $110 less a year if voters reject the referendum.

The $18.8 million, along with $2.95 million from existing capital funds, would be spent to replace the pool and bathhouse, add six to eight courts for pickleball and four for platform tennis. Plans also call for a warming hut at the courts and replacement of a picnic shelter.

Park board President Linda Hovde said the improvements are necessary because of deteriorating facilities and the demand for activities such as pickleball.

The current pools were built in 1998. Pool leaks are frequent, and some of the plumbing and mechanical systems are as much as 50 years old, she said.

"The pool system is about 25 years old, and there are a lot of infrastructure cracks and leaks and issues that cost every year to Band-Aid and repair to keep the pool open," she said. "It has been done each year, but it's pricey."

Because the pools are served by well water, iron and other deposits have caused deterioration in pipes, valves and plumbing.

Park District Executive Director Teresa Jennings said the new pool will be supplied with municipal water.

"That's going to be a real positive thing for the long-term condition of the pool," she said.

Jennings said the demand for pickleball is "insane."

"It's just booming over here at the park," she said. "We (also) have had a lot of residents ask for platform tennis. So we decided to put that package with the pool and provide this to the community at a really good time when the taxes don't have to increase."

Referendum information meetings will be held at Langendorf Park Fitness and Recreation Center, 235 Lions Drive, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, and 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 21.

For more information, visit www.barringtonparkdistrict.org/referendum.