Letter: Park district needs, deserves support

The Barrington Park District has placed a referendum item on the April 4 ballot. The ballot question asks taxpayers to approve a bond offering to help fund much-needed swimming pool repairs and other park district improvements.

An information session was held Feb. 25, and I was one of only three attendees from the community. I hope that is because other residents understand that this "yes" vote is a no-brainer. The presentation showed the many expensive repairs that need to be made to the old depreciating pool area, locker rooms and picnic pavilion to bring them into compliance with the current Illinois Department of Public Health code. The cost of expensive repairs will only continue to increase unless action is taken to improve the pool area.

An added bonus of the referendum is an increase in the number of pickleball courts at the park district. Anyone who has driven by on a decent day can see the four current Langendorf courts full and many waiting to play. If pickleball players young and old want to see their tax dollars at work, come join the growing pickleball community that has formed in Barrington. I applaud the park district for recognizing the community that has developed with Langendorf Park pickleball.

The referendum is well-timed. The last park district bond issuance for the preservation of Citizens Park is paid and coming off taxpayers' tax bills, so taxpayers will see a decrease in their tax bill even with the passage of the new referendum.

Go to barringtonparkdistrict.org or attend the next information session on March 21 at 7 p.m. at the Fitness and Recreation Center at 235 Lions Dr. in Barrington and see for yourself, then vote yes on April 4.

Vicki Casmere

Barrington