Barrington voters may weigh in on upgrading park district facilities

Barrington voters may have the chance to weigh in on whether they want new, upgraded park district facilities.

On Monday, the park board will discuss whether to seek voter approval on the Feb. 5 primary ballot to borrow $12 million to renovate Langendorf Park at 235 Lions Drive.

Parks Executive Director Terri Jennings said this has been on the district's agenda for years but was sidelined when the chance to build the 55-acre Citizens Park came along.

"This is something we have been working on for the last 15 years," Jennings said. "But open space only comes in front of you once."

Langendorf now features aquatic and fitness centers, several baseball fields, a playground, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, picnic shelters, a fieldhouse, a five-hole par-3 golf course and skate park.

But Jennings said the facility is deteriorating and not nearly large enough to support people's needs.

"We are so behind in getting caught up with the growth in this community," Jennings said.

The plan, Jennings said, is to renovate a portion of the current facility at Langendorf Park and build a brand new, 58,000-square-foot facility.

The new building would include dedicated space for both preschoolers and senior citizens. More details on the proposed facility and its cost to taxpayers are expected to be revealed at Monday's meeting.

"We aren't going to have any luxurious offices or anything," Jennings said. "We are just trying to get adequate and appropriate space."

The park board meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Langendorf Park.