Glen Ellyn parks eye 6-year improvement plan

Glen Ellyn Park District officials are looking at a $19.5 million six-year comprehensive capital improvement projects plan.

Projects are looked at every several years with the intention to plan ahead.

Major projects might include the Ackerman Sports Complex that will cost $7 million, a Nature Center at Churchill Park for $400,000 and the renovation of Lake Ellyn Boathouse's entrance for $300,000.

Additionally, officials hope for a safety village, amphitheater and education garden at Maryknoll Park for $785,000, a refrigerated ice rink and new program facility and parking lot at Newton Park for $2 million and $4 million for land acquisition.

The rough improvement plan also entails replacing playgrounds, benches, picnic tables and signs at almost every facility and adding lights at many fields, courts and parking lots.

If the plan is approved and all goes as scheduled, the dozens of projects should be completed between 2009 and 2013.

Executive Director Cory Atwell said the comprehensive plan is a tool for planning and budgeting.

"That way the board decides today what we'll do that far in advance," he said.

Officials plan to revisit the plan next month after necessary board and staff members review the proposed plan and put in their two-cents about which projects are a must, which ones can wait and others that haven't yet been mentioned.

"It'll benefit the community by having a plan before we had into something," Atwell said. "If you have a plan and direction, it helps you be more responsible financially."

Officials will take a look at yearly capital projects in March.