D303, Park District Celebrate Haines Gymnasium Opening

ST. CHARLES, IL — The St. Charles Park District celebrated the opening of Haines Gymnasium with Community Unit School District 303 representatives and Fusion Volleyball last week. But shortly after the gym opened, park district officials closed it on Tuesday due to concerns over the spread of the new coronavirus.

The gym will remain closed through March 31, according to the park district's website.

In October 2019, the park district entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with CUSD303 to manage Haines Gymnasium, 305 South Ninth Street in St. Charles, and adjacent classroom space in the former middle school, while the school district retains ownership of the physical building and property.

Both agencies have the option to renew this agreement in four years.

“Staff are very excited for this indoor space opportunity to expand the District’s recreational services of pickleball, volleyball, basketball, youth camps, teen programing and special events as well as facility rentals,” said superintendent of recreation Mike Kies.

Recent remodeling projects included installing ADA restrooms, gym floor re-surfacing, reconfiguration of the volleyball courts, the addition of four pickleball courts, as well as branding the facility with a new logo and signage. Drop-in pickleball is offered and there is also an indoor winter walking program available through the end of March.

Behind-the-scenes infrastructure projects included painting 75 percent of the facility; and adding IT infrastructure, gymnasium lighting and floor tiling. D303 also installed fire sprinkler systems to this renovated area, according to the news release.

While the majority of the renovations are completed, improvements will continue to be made to the stage, classrooms, parking lot and landscaping through the spring and summer months.

The park district will begin using the classrooms in the near future. “These rooms will be dedicated as multi-purpose rooms so the District can expand its program opportunities with additional indoor space,” said Facility Supervisor Sabrina Killeen.

The building is shared with the D303’s transition program, and the St. Charles Public Library will call this facility home while their building undergoes construction.

More information is available on the St. Charles Park District website