Naperville Park District seeks $120 million from voters for recreation center

Naperville voters will decide this spring if they will give the park district money to build a new activity center on the city’s south end.

Park district commissioners unanimously agreed on Thursday to put a question on the March ballot that will request permission to borrow $120 million to build the new center.

If approved, the owner of a $500,000 home would pay an estimated $117 more a year in property taxes to the district based on financing with a term not to exceed 20 years.

The park board’s decision comes after a fall community survey showing residents want more indoor recreation spaces. The district received more than 8,000 responses.

Out of six projects presented in the survey, residents ranked the new community center with pools and exercise space as the top priority. Land acquisition to preserve open space and expand existing trails also fell in the first tier.

Park commissioners said they have heard from residents for some time about the lack of recreational space on the south side of the city, the need for more aquatic space and a desire for more indoor recreational facilities.

“This proposed project would tick all three boxes,” Commissioner Chris Jacks said.

The proposal has drawn some questions, however, from the Fry Family YMCA. In a letter to park board members, Fry Family YMCA Director Ericka Wood questioned the location, noting the proposed center would be just 3,800 feet away from her facility.

Wood attended Thursday’s meeting but did not address commissioners publicly.

“We respect the park board’s decision to move forward, and now the community will have the opportunity to evaluate whether they believe the proposal is the most efficient and best way to meet the needs of Naperville,” Wood said in a written statement after the meeting.

The park district originally considered a $135 million referendum that would include funding for the new center, land acquisition and improvements at three other parks. Based on survey results, park commissioners said they decided to pursue the two projects that residents identified as top priorities.

Commissioners also noted the district will use property it already owns for the new community center.

“At the end of the day, our job is to find the balance and find the best possible solution that will address the park district’s gaps and the needs of the entire community,” Commissioner Aishwarya Balakrishna said. “We intend to complement existing recreational opportunities and meet growing demand so more residents have access to activity that improves physical, mental and social-emotional health.”