Wheeling park to be dedicated to longtime commissioner

The Wheeling Park District will name one of its major parks after a longtime park board commissioner who helped lead the district for two decades.

Officials will dedicate the Heritage Park Sports Complex in honor of former Commissioner Thomas R. Webber at 11 a.m. Saturday. Webber was on the elected board from 1989 to 2009, serving 16 of those 20 years as president.

"In many ways, Tom Webber's tireless dedication and commitment to the Wheeling Park District continues to provide memorable experiences in parks and recreation that enrich our communities," Jan Buchs, the park district's executive director, said in an announcement of the dedication event.

Shortly after Webber joined the board, the park district in 1990 obtained 10 acres of land fronting Dundee Road from Wickes Companies. That paved the way for an eventual land swap with the village of Wheeling in 2007, allowing for redevelopment of Heritage Park.

The $33.5 million renovation project, completed in 2015, included four new ball fields, a concession stand, band shell and pavilion, and new walking paths.

Webber also helped with two referendum efforts: in 1992, allowing for construction of the Community Recreation Center, and, in 1999, renovations to Chevy Chase Country Club. The district also added an indoor pool and fitness area to the rec center that year.