Glen Ellyn park district to get final rec center price tag
More than two months after its grand opening, the final price tag for Glen Ellyn's state-of-the-art recreation center remains a point of contention.
On Tuesday, the park district board expects to receive a report from Laurie Woods, superintendent of finance and personnel, indicating whether the $11.2 million cost estimate presented in December for the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center was correct.
Some park commissioners have questioned whether a $209,000 increase to a contract with the project's architects, Professional Building Services, was properly documented and included in the December estimate. Woods says it was included and was a result of a contract clause that kicked in as the scope of the project increased.
Commissioner Julia Nephew said the increase was only recently mentioned and reflects a disturbing financial pattern she's noticed since joining the board last April. "This is an ongoing problem we have been having," she said. "We keep asking them about this financial thing and we keep getting different answers."
Woods said she has produced a report detailing all expenses on the project and sent it to board President Ed Hess. The added cost boosted the payment to Professional Building to a total of $741,000.
Her report will be discussed by the board at 7 p.m. Tuesday at its headquarters, 185 Spring Ave.
The project's overall cost has been an issue since its beginning. In November 2006, voters approved plans for a $7.4 million recreation center in Ackerman Park at 800 E. St. Charles Road. That total allowed for $500,000 in contingency costs.
Since that time, however, added amenities and services have pushed the cost beyond $11 million for the 88,000-square-foot facility.
As bills are paid, Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo said the actual overall cost will continue to fluctuate. But he said he is confident the final number will be around $11.3 million.
"This project is fluid," he said. "The numbers keep going back and forth. But nobody is trying to skirt any numbers."
Scarmardo said some costs will increase as officials buy equipment community members say the facility needs. Meanwhile, some costs will decrease when the final tally is said and done because of charge backs that are standard in this kind of project.
"It's hard when you're in the middle of it to come up with an absolute final number when there are still variances going on," Scarmardo said.
Woods says business at the rec center continues to perform well, pulling in more than $200,000 for the district in just three months. She said 766 memberships have been sold but the exact number of people who have used the facility is unknown.
She said Tuesday's meeting should help clarify any questions.
"Some of the problems are there because this was approved by the old board and now we have a new board," Woods said. "Perhaps that is where it is not being communicated correctly."