$30M water park plans get green light at Wheeling village hall

The Wheeling Park District’s $30 million plan to build a new aquatic center cleared a critical bureaucratic hurdle Monday.

With a series of four votes, the village board approved the site plans and assorted design elements of the proposed water park, which is set to be built on Community Boulevard where the district’s Family Aquatic Center stood until being razed this spring.

While calling the unanimous votes “reaffirming,” newly promoted park district Executive Director Matt Wehby wasn’t quite ready to celebrate Monday.

“The celebration comes when there’s water in the pool,” he said. ”(Now) we move onto the next step.”

That would be getting a permit from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Wehby said parks officials repeatedly have revised plans for that agency, which regulates public pools, spas and water parks to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases and to prevent injuries.

“There are still some steps in the process, but we are working through them one by one,” he said.

A summer 2027 opening is anticipated.

Swimming pools, a play structure, body slides, a bath house and party shelters are among the planned amenities.

One change from the old park will be a lack of drop slides. The popular features no longer are permitted under state regulations, Wehby told the village board.

“Everyone is sad to see the drop slides go,” he said.

Additionally, the main building and entrance will be on the west side of the facility rather than the north side across from the park district’s Community Recreation Center. That should make parking and access easier, officials said.

Trustee Mary Papantos was among the village officials who praised the plans and architectural renderings Monday.

“I’m excited about this,” she said. “I think it looks good.”

Village President Pat Horcher gushed about it, too.

“It looks amazing,” he said.

Funding for the aquatic center will come from reserves, a loan, a state grant and other sources, parks officials have said.

Splish splash

The Wheeling Park District’s Family Aquatic Center remained a popular destination until its permanent closure last fall. It has been demolished to make way for a new water park. Here are recent annual attendance numbers.

2025: 70,558

2024: 78,151

2023: 81,502

2022: 74,602

2021: 65,719

Source: Wheeling Park District