Everything You Need to Know About the Spring Rock Turf Field Referendum

It’s an exciting time for athletics in Western Springs as the Village prepares to consider a major renovation to Spring Rock Park with the addition of a high-tech turf athletic field. However, the project is not without some controversy, as it would require an increase in Village taxes. A special referendum has been issued, and a public meeting to consider it will be held on Tuesday night at Village Hall (740 Hillgrove Ave.) at 7:00 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know in advance of the meeting:

What is the referendum?

The referendum is an item for the April 5, 2011 village ballot. If passed, it will allow the Park District to issue a million dollars ($1,000,000) in bonds to construct an all-weather turf field in the southwest corner of Spring Rock Park (see PDF.)

What would the field look like?

A lot like Bennett Field at Lyons Township South (also in Western Springs). The field would be 130’ by 65’. The turf would be synthetic (using extruded monofilament fibers lined with silica and rubber), and lined for football, soccer and lacrosse. Football uprights would be permanent; soccer and lacrosse goals would be portable. The grass field is already lit for night play and the current lighting system would remain.

Why would we want to do this?

According to the Park District, the grass field is used by over 1,200 players for over 800 hours of use annually. A synthetic field would be able to accompany more than twice as many players (2,500) and half again as many hours of use (1200). It would also dramatically improve playing conditions, eliminating muddiness and puddles (the area around southwestern Spring Rock is one of the wettest in the Village.)

Who’s spending all this time on that field?

Mostly Western Springs youth football and lacrosse, but also soccer teams from McClure, AYSO, FCX and Lyons Township, softball and baseball teams, a rugby club and a men’s flag-football club.

So the million dollars will pay for the entire construction?

Not quite. The Park District tried to get the Township of Lyons to pay for the entire cost of the field ($1.5 million), and received a grant for just over half a million ($511,175), thus the need for the other million. Other attempts to obtain grants either have been turned down or are expected to be turned down.

Okay, so if it passes, what will it cost me?

Exactly $5.64 per $100,000 of your 2009 property value, annually, for 10 years. For instance, if your home is worth $500,000, you would see a $27.12 increase in your annual Village property taxes, with the total cost to you being $271.20 over the next decade.

And why can’t the Park District just pay for this themselves?

The District says it just doesn’t have the funds. Only two cents of every dollar of Village property tax goes to the Park District, which is completely independent of other Village funding. (This also means that the project would not have any effect on normal Village business, like funding the new reverse-osmosis water plant.)

Will I have to keep paying for field upkeep in the future?

Nope. The turf must be replaced every decade or so at a cost of $425,000, but this will be covered in the long term through fees charged to organizations that use the field.

If we voters say yes, when will the field be ready for action?

The Park District’s optimistic forecast is by fall of 2011, but if bureaucratic delays occur, it may not be until fall of 2012.

Will we be able to use the field for open play?

Most likely. The field will probably be treated like any other at Spring Rock—bookable for a fee, but otherwise open to the public.

What if there’s money left over after construction of the field?

The phrasing of the referendum leaves room for any extra money to be spent on ordinary Park District functions.

And what if we voters say no?

Unfortunately, the Village would lose the half-million-dollar grant from the Township of Lyons; it cannot be used on any project except a turf field. The field would remain as it currently is.

I have an opinion or an additional question about this!

Then, besides of course posting in our comments section, you should also come to the referendum meeting on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall on Hillgrove Avenue! The Park District wants residents to provide input and commentary and ask any additional questions about the project.

(For even more information, visit the Park District website.)