Fate of golf course land in Bloomingdale remains unclear
The owner of Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale has yet to decide what will happen to roughly 190 acres of open space after it's no longer used as a golf course.
First ILR, LLC, which owns the 223-acre resort along Schick Road, last week announced it's going to permanently close the resort's golf course and conference center later this year as part of a plan to save and improve the hotel on the property.
"It's a significant event in Bloomingdale because Indian Lakes is almost part of the fabric of our community," Mayor Franco Coladipietro said. "We look forward to working with Indian Lakes to see what direction they want to take the property."
News of the golf course's imminent closure prompted some to say they don't want the land to be rezoned for residential development.
On Thursday, Patrick Skarr, a spokesman for the resort, said he didn't want to speculate about what will happen to the golf course property.
"We know the golf course closing brings some uncertainty for the community and neighbors," Skarr said. "When we know more, we will hold informational nights for the neighbors."
In order to preserve the hotel at the resort, officials said the 27-hole golf course and driving range must close at the end of this year's golf season. A 30,000-square-foot conference center also will close on Dec. 15.
The golf course has lost about $5 million since 2011 and pushed the entire resort to a net operating loss during that same period, officials said.
It's believed the golf operation can't be profitable, even if another entity were to come in and run it.
"We invested several million dollars into it (in 2007)," Skarr said. "It didn't work. The rounds are still down. So its future as a golf course is done."
In the meantime, no plans or proposals have been submitted to the village.
Once it has a plan for the land, First ILR most likely will seek feedback from the neighbors before making a formal submission to the village, Skarr said.
Coladipietro, meanwhile, says he believes any redevelopment at Indian Lakes will be a community decision.
"The residents of Bloomingdale will have every opportunity to weigh in on any proposal that happens at the property," he said.