Des Plaines Park District planning $9 million indoor pool

An indoor pool is coming to the Des Plaines Park District as early as 2019.

The park district has plans to attach the $9 million facility to the south side of the Prairie Lakes Community Center at 515 E. Thacker St. It's one of the biggest projects the park district has undertaken since the community center was built in 1993.

The facility is also expected to include a splash pad and warm therapy pool. The main swimming pool will have eight lanes and be competition length, with the idea it will be home to the park district's swim team in the winter months.

"We're going to have a focus on making sure kids in Des Plaines know how to swim at an early age," spokesman Gene Haring said.

The 23,000-square-foot space will also include locker rooms, family changing rooms, a party room and offices.

Park district officials anticipate construction will begin in July 2018 and be complete by late 2019.

Six firms have submitted qualifications to design the facility, and park board commissioners are expected to choose one at the Aug. 15 meeting. In the fall, the public will provide input on architecture plans, Haring said.

The park district plans to pay for half the project with reserve funds that have been set aside the past 10 years. The other half will be paid through issuing bonds, which will be paid in five years.