Controversial Sports Complex Near Darien Rejected

DARIEN, IL — The DuPage County Board on Tuesday unanimously rejected a proposal for a sports complex near Darien.

Sports enthusiasts supported the complex, but neighbors opposed it. The domed complex was planned for 17W411 S. Frontage Road, just outside Darien's boundaries and near Burr Ridge.

Board members said virtually all the comments they received were in opposition.

Board member Julie Renehan of Hinsdale said she understood the need, but the neighbors persuaded her to vote no.

"I am a soccer mom. I have driven to Rockford many times because that's where the events are," said Renehan, who represents District 3, where the project would have been. "But the challenges this would bring to the community tip the scale" to turning down the proposal.

Member Greg Schwarze of Carol Stream cited fire officials' concerns about the project.

"It's more than just a not-in-my-back-yard issue," he said. "There are some serious issues."

Board member Amy Chavez of Naperville, chairwoman of the county's economic development committee, said she would join the others. But she said such a complex would be a good opportunity for the county.

"These are very much revenue-generating projects, bringing money for restaurants and hotels," Chavez said. The county could help find "another spot that is a little bit better suited."

Many residents in the Timberlake subdivision, which is to the east of the proposed complex, expressed opposition to the project.

In their comments, opponents said they preferred the wooded habitat on the existing property. They said the sports complex would increase traffic, stormwater runoff and noise. They also feared the effect on their property values.

Some said that if development must happen, they wanted single-family homes.

The company behind the complex, West Suburban Athletic Corp., needed to change the residential zoning to make the complex a reality. It said a diversity of uses already exists in the area, noting the 187,000-square-foot Sterling Bay trucking and distribution center is west of the property in question.

Covering 90,000 square feet, the Sawmill Garden Sports Complex would have included an indoor facility offering court sports, three soccer fields and an area for batting cages.

In another building would have been a restaurant and bar, along with meeting rooms, squash courts and a noncompetition swimming pool, according to the developer's documents. Three outdoor athletic fields were planned.