La Grange Park Gym Project In Question

LA GRANGE PARK, IL – The Community Park District of La Grange Park had hoped that a $10.7 million voter-approved referendum last year would pay for building a new gymnasium.

But the district said it needs millions more because costs have gone up so much.

At a Village Board meeting late last month, park district officials requested the village to chip in $2.9 million for the project.

Village officials said they wanted to help, but that they didn't have that kind of money.

The park district plans a gymnasium with a stage and elevated walking track, The gym would be next to the district's recreation center at 1501 Barnsdale Road.

The upgrades would also include an elevator, an improved lobby and circulation area, and increased general recreation spaces.

During planning two years ago, the project was estimated to cost $10 million. Since then, the costs have gone up another $4 million, according to the district.

"The cost of this project is increasing about 4 percent every month right now," Jessica Cannaday, the district's executive director, told the Village Board. "So if we wait five years, we don't know where we are going to be."

The district is proposing to get the village's money through a tax increment district, or TIF, that includes the recreation center.

Under state law, property taxes generated from growth in a TIF's tax base are diverted for the district's benefit.

Village Trustee Jermaine Stewart said a gym would help the community, but he said the tax district's money is already obligated.

The money is set to be spent on streetscape improvements, the "green alley" project and proposed parking solutions, he said.

"As far as all the stuff we have promised the public, I just don't know how feasible this is at this time," Stewart said. "I really don't know a way forward at this time."

Village officials said $1.3 million of the park district's $2.8 million request would be eligible for reimbursement from the tax district.

In response, Cannaday said $1.3 million would still bring the original project scope back into feasibility.

Cannaday told the Village Board the project would bring a significant benefit economically to the town – $700,000 in jobs a year. It would also recoup a part of the $500,000 that residents are spending at gyms and related services outside of La Grange Park, she said.

Village President Jim Discipio said he wanted the project to happen.

"The $2.8 million ask is not there. We don't have that money. Whether we can generate something for the park district, certainly we will," he said. "I'm sure the board will agree to something. It's within our legal means to do."

Officials agreed to have the village attorney available for the discussion at the next meeting. (The village later said that the discussion is set for Sept. 24, when the attorney is available.)