Lindenhurst Park District dives into its pool plans

The Lindenhurst Park District is ready to move forward on an aquatic center, with or without a municipal partner.

The park district sent letters to officials in Antioch, Lake Villa, Lake Villa Township and Antioch-Lake Villa Area High School District 117 regarding partnership on the pool project.

"It has been a year now since we've not only given them a hard copy of the feasibility study, but also had it on the Web site for the general public," said Tom Lippert, executive director of the park district. "We've gotten this far and put so much time and effort into it. It's time to get started."

An indoor aquatic facility topped Lindenhurst residents' list of desired community additions in a 2004 survey.

In early 2007, the district completed its Aquatic Facility Feasibility Study, which identified potential partners.

According to the study, an indoor aquatic center built onto the existing Lindenhurst Community Center, 2200 E. Grass Lake Road, would cost $15.7 million and raise property tax bills by $338 annually.

An outdoor facility in Lindenhurst would cost $11.5 million and boost tax bills by $210 annually.

If Lindenhurst partners with another municipality or school district, the facility would likely cost more because it would be larger, but the impact on individual taxpayers would be less because the cost would be shared.

Both Antioch and Lake Villa have expressed interest in building their own aquatic center.

"Although the (park district) is capable of undertaking this project on its own, the board thought it beneficial to contact those governmental entities identified in the Aquatic Center Feasibility Study," said Dean Parkman, president of Lindenhurst's board of park commissioners.

The Lindenhurst park district requested a written response from the municipalities and school district by Feb. 15. The park district will discuss the information received during its March 11 and April 8 board meetings, before making its decision May 13.

"In either case we've determined there is no other choice but to go to referendum," Lippert said, adding the referendum question would likely be on the Nov. 4 ballot. "Whatever comes up, we will certainly keep the public aware."