Election Results: Voters Say Yes to Plainfield Park District Referendum

Patch is projecting a win for the Plainfield Park District referendum, according to unoffical results from both Kendall and Will counties.

With 48 precincts reporting between Will and Kendall counties, the referendum passed 18,967 to 13,799.

The Plainfield Township Park District referendum will finance a new recreation center, improve the site it’s on, improve neighborhood parks and improve and equip parks and park facilities. To do this, the park district would need to issue bonds in the amount of $10.5 million.

The question appeared on the ballot as follows:

Shall the Plainfield Township Park District, Will and Kendall Counties, Illinois, improve neighborhood parks, improve and equip parks and park facilities, and build and equip a new recreation center and improve the site thereof and issue its bonds to the amount of $10,500,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

The following is a list of questions and answers provided by the Plainfield Park District:

What does this mean?

If approved, the District will be able to do such projects as...

• Approximately a $6.5 million dollar recreation center

• Ball field lighting at selected fields

• Neighborhood park safety/lighting improvements

• Capital improvements to various park locations as identified by the 2015 Comprehensive Master Plan

How does this affect the taxpayer if the referendum is approved?

• No tax rate increase

• Rate would remain same or go lower

• Park District would be able to provide new amenities, repairs, replacements and a recreation center

What are the effects if the referendum passes and equally if it fails?

The District will continue to perform capital improvement projects per funds available on a yearly basis, but would not move forward on the construction of an indoor recreation center or some of the noncrucial amenity additions.

What is a referendum?

A referendum is a vote in which all the people in a county or an area decide on an important question.

What is a bond issue?

A bond issue is a way to borrow money for capital improvements. The bonds can be approved by referendum and this authority allows the Park District to repay the bonds with property taxes. The Park District can issue these bonds on a tax-exempt basis, which means the interest paid by the Park District on the bonds is exempt from federal income taxes. The tax exemption lowers the interest cost to the Park District and provides an incentive for people to invest in these bonds.

What has the Park District done to address the recreation needs of the community?

The Park District researched and prepared a Comprehensive Master Plan in 2015. The Comprehensive Master Plan’s primary purpose is to create a vision and strategies over the next five years to guide the continual development of a park and recreation agency focusing on leisure enrichment opportunities by addressing community needs, interests and trends. The Plan outlined strategic priorities for the Board of Commissioners to consider. Indoor recreation space was one of the key findings in the 2015 plan.

Why does the Park District need a new recreation center?

More gym and open space is needed because of the growth in sports programs and other recreational activities. More indoor space is needed for Great Adventures Preschool, Dance and special events. Some of these programs have been full, and children and adults are being turned away from participating. Other programs will likely be at their maximum due to the lack of available open indoor space.

Why doesn’t the Park District use District 202 spaces?

The Park District utilizes all the available space in the schools. The school space often has limitations due to school activities and sports. The school space is not available during daytime school hours, school shutdowns (summer vacation, holidays and school breaks). Scheduling park programs in the schools sometimes becomes challenging due to changing schedules and the needs of school activities. Even if the referendum passes the District would continue to use District 202 space for larger program needs.

In what location does the Park District plan to build the recreation center?

Based on current property owned by the District, Bott Community Park (formerly Renwick) has been identified as a centrally located location for a facility.

What would be in the new recreation center?

Currently the PPD is conducting a feasibility study for indoor recreation space and aquatics. Final determinations would be made following a passed referendum and greater community input.

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