St. Charles voters OK tax hike for pool

A $25 million tax increase request to fund, among other projects, a new swimming pool in the St. Charles Park District made a splash with voters Tuesday.

With all 36 precincts in Kane and DuPage counties reporting, the bond-issue request passed easily by 1,863 votes, unofficial results show.

"It feels pretty good," parks Director Jim Breen said as the final tallies came in. "Now the real work begins."

The referendum was the district's first in about a decade. The main project is a $10.9 million pool complex at Campton Hills Splash Park along Campton Hills Road.

The measure also covers $6.3 million in renovations to the 70-year-old Pottawatomie Pool; the $4 million construction of an environmental education center, also at Campton Hills Park; $2 million in land acquisition; about $1 million in athletic facility enhancements; and about $800,000 in upgrades at 14 neighborhood parks.

Breen said the work most likely will begin in about six months, after bids and work specifications come in, and unfold in phases so Pottawatomie Pool remains open while the new pool is being built. The new pool will be the district's first one west of the Fox River.

"There's not such a rush with Pottawatomie Pool because you can't deal with it until the other pool is up and running," said Breen, adding that Pottawatomie will be shuttered for about a year. "It's going to be a very hectic time for the staff and board, no doubt, getting all this stuff done, but we will proceed. We're very grateful for the support from the community."