Project Updates
District Commissions Feasibility Study For Potential Athletic Recreation Center
February 1, 2012 - Since 1996 and most recently in 2010, the Woodridge Park District has sought public feedback through numerous community wide needs assessment surveys and public forums about the need to provide additional indoor programming space to increase and improve recreational and fitness opportunities in Woodridge. This feedback was considered by the Staff and Board over the years and consequently incorporated in the District’s 1998-2003 and 2005-2009 “Five Year Capital Development Programs” to develop an athletic recreation center pending availability of funding. The project was never launched due to other capital priorities, financial constraints and obligations.
Recently, several potential financial opportunities have become available that would permit the construction of an athletic recreation center without a tax increase through referendum. Those opportunities include debt retirement savings, local government partnerships and potential grant opportunities.
In order to assess the feasibility of constructing and operating a recreation center, the District recently commissioned an independent consultant to complete a comprehensive feasibility study over the next three months. The scope of the study will include a comprehensive program space analysis, market study, trends analysis, construction feasibility, preliminary cost estimates, operational costs, revenue generation analysis and opportunities, impact on existing resources, and a detailed operational pro forma to assess the District’s ability to operate the facility as an enterprise fund.
Based on the final results of the study this Spring, the Park Board will evaluate and consider whether to continue with the planning process. If deemed feasible, the next steps will be to gather public feedback, finalize partnership opportunities, pursue architectural design concepts/master plan, apply for available grant(s), and finalize financial plan & development timeline.
The feasibility study is not a commitment by the Park District to build a recreation center. It is however, the first step in the planning process to gather objective data in order to make well-informed strategic decisions on a possible future facility.
The District will periodically post new and updated information concerning this planning initiative on the District’s website. For more information, contact Mike Adams, Executive Director at madams@woodridgeparks.org.
Orchard Hill Park Athletic Irrigation & Lighting Improvements
Orchard Hill Park is now the home of a new irrigation and drainage system. Full in-ground irrigation and drainage systems were installed at the three baseball/softball fields and quick coupler irrigation was installed at the four soccer fields earlier this year.
Additionally, staff applied for a state grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, to include the addition of athletic field & parking lot lighting, a pathway system, as well as a concessions building at Orchard Hill Park. However, even though the park district did not receive the grant, the athletic field and parking lot lighting project was still budgeted for in fiscal year ending 2012. The project was publically bid in October and approved by the Board of Commissioners at the November board meeting. The park improvements will include lighting of the baseball/softball fields (3), soccer fields on the southeast side of the park (2) and the south parking lot. Weather pending, work will begin this winter in time for spring 2012. Also, a storage (garage) building matching the architecture of the Cypress Cove buildings will be installed at Orchard Hill Park near the southern most end of the park between baseball fields #2 & #3, which will house the athletic field lighting electrical panels as well as miscellaneous maintenance equipment for the athletic fields.
View architectural drawing of the Orchard Hill Park storage building
Falconridge Park to Receive ADA Improvements
The Board of Commissioners approved at the October board meeting the bid to complete improvements at Falconridge Park this fall. Improvements include sidewalk access from the public walks to the port-a-john and playground. It also includes new concrete playground borders and ramps as well as additional site furnishings throughout the space. This project will help the Park District accomplish its goals designated in the District ADA Transition Plan.
Seven Bridges Park Playground Closed for Safety Precautions
During a scheduled playground safety inspection this past summer, Woodridge Park District staff identified major safety concerns at the Seven Bridges Park play equipment and swing structures. Inspectors discovered the deterioration, rotting and significant termite damage affecting the wooden posts below ground. As a result of the inspection, the playground equipment and swings were removed and legally disposed. This winter, new playground equipment and swings will be designed and the purchase and installation will be bid publically. Installation is tentatively scheduled for spring 2012.
As a part of the District’s Capital Replacement Plan (CRP), playgrounds are scheduled for replacement on a 15 year interval (which, at Seven Bridges Park, was scheduled for 2013/14). The District will consider reprioritizing other CRP projects in order to expedite the Seven Bridges play equipment replacement.
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