In a landmark move, Illinois is setting a new standard in recreational development with a substantial $28 million investment. Governor JB Pritzker recently announced this funding, aimed at enhancing public recreational spaces across the state. This initiative is not just an investment in land and facilities; it's a commitment to the well-being and enrichment of communities throughout Illinois.
At the heart of this initiative is the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC). This grant program, part of the broader Rebuild Illinois capital improvement plan, is a lifeline for local governments. It provides up to 90% funding for projects focused on constructing, renovating, and improving recreational buildings or acquiring land for public use.
"From roads and bridges to parks and recreational buildings, my administration's landmark Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan is leaving no part of our state's infrastructure untouched. Today, I'm proud to announce that, through the PARC grant program, we are dispersing more than $28 million to local governments to further public recreational opportunities throughout their communities - whether that's renovating existing buildings or constructing a new community center. Public recreational spaces promote wellness, all while safeguarding the environment, and I look forward to visiting these modernized facilities once they are up and running."
Governor of Illinois | JB Pritzker
According to Illinois.gov, the PARC grant recipients and their projects are:
- Arlington Heights Park District (Cook County) - $2.8 million
Consists of renovating the interior of an existing building, converting it to a bathhouse, demolishing the existing lap pool and children's pool, and building a new Olympic-sized lap pool and children's water play area. Site improvements will make the pool, the children's area, and the bathhouse building Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.
- City of Anna (Union County) - $2.8 million
Complete overhaul of the city ballpark and create a more usable, efficient, and disabled-accessible facility for the community.
- Batavia Park District (Kane County) - $2.8 million
A commercial office building purchased by the park district in 2021 will be repurposed into a community recreation center to increase indoor recreation space. Planned renovations include demolition of existing offices, restrooms and closets; installation of an elevator; and carpentry, drywall, electrical, mechanicals, and plumbing, along with safety systems, finishes and furniture. A parking lot will be modified to be disabled accessible.
- Village of Crossville (White County) - $324,047
Consists of supplying Crossville's Tiger Park with ADA-accessible sidewalks, parking spaces, and restrooms to replace outdated facilities and non-compliant walkways. The existing pavilion will be rewired to update and increase use of the structure. Pickleball courts will be constructed to add an additional recreation component to the park.
- Decatur Park District (Macon County) - $2.8 million
Renovation of the former Scoville Golf Course Clubhouse into a recreational senior center that will feature a range of activities to serve an array of interests, expectations, and needs for the community's mature populations. Currently, senior recreational services take place in three separate locations in Decatur. The new space will offer daily exercise programs and activities like art classes, lectures, music enrichment, cards, games, and some meal service.
- Macon County Conservation District (Macon County) - $870,750
Renovating existing office space into program space to accommodate the existing increase in program participants and allow for further expansion of programs. Also expansion of the existing program space into an outdoor classroom with chalkboard, demonstration gardens, science lab, kitchen area, seat walls, fire pit, and interpretive kiosks.
- Glenview Park District (Cook County) - $2.8 million
Updating finishes and adding new mechanical systems and other features to the aging aquatics center. Work will include removal and replacement of the pool basin finish systems, refreshed decking materials, and new paint and acoustics on walls and ceilings. The pool mechanical system will be enlarged and refreshed with a system that can service all three pools with independent temperature controls and filtration. A retractable pool ninja course will be added in the lap pool, as well as a replacement play feature in the activity pool.
- Park District of Highland Park (Lake County) - $2.8 million
A new community center at West Ridge Park will replace the aging West Ridge Center with a new, sustainable facility with increased recreational capacity, improved disabled accessibility, and green space. The facility will include a dedicated gymnastics gym, flexible spaces for youth enrichment, and visual and performing arts programs.
- Northbrook Park District (Cook County) - $2.8 million
Consists of renovating the interior of the Leisure Center to respond to a growing demand for diverse recreational program offerings. The project includes adding a knowledge center, an innovation lounge, a sensory/de-escalation lounge, and a technology and training room. It also includes renovating multipurpose rooms, activity studios, demonstration kitchen, a costume shop, a flexible performance space, and making restrooms ADA-compliant and gender neutral.
- Oak Lawn Park District (Cook County) - $2.1 million
The remodel of the Memorial Park Recreation Center will include converting smaller rooms, such as locker rooms, shower facilities, and storage areas, into larger multipurpose rooms and new restrooms. The entry vestibule will be changed to a lobby and reception area.
- City of Rock Island (Rock Island County) - $901,800
Plans call for replacing the 95-year-old clubhouse at Saukie Golf Course with a new facility to better serve golfers and all users while maintaining the golf course's historical significance. The current clubhouse is beyond its useful life and in a state of deterioration. The new clubhouse will include meeting space, seating areas, office, kitchen and dining area, two golf simulators, and outdoor seating facing the course. It will create a more welcoming and fully accessible starting and ending point for golfers and provide year-round space for learning and enrichment activities with indoor hitting bays and simulators.
- Rockford Park District (Winnebago County) - $2.8 million
Consists of the developing the 50-acre Clarence Hicks Sports Park, including an eight-lane running track; a multi-purpose sports field with artificial turf for football, soccer, and lacrosse; throw and jump event areas; a spectator area with bleacher seating for 1,000; parking lot with solar lights; and landscape improvements.
- City of Woodstock (McHenry County) - $2.8 million
This project includes remediation work to prolong the life of the Woodstock Recreation Center, a Woodstock-owned indoor facility that supports the city's extensive recreational programs. Plans are to seal the pool area to eliminate condensation issues; remove and replace the gymnasium roof, exterior doors, electrical panels and exterior siding; renovate the pool, hot tub and sauna; add an ADA lift to the pool area; improve parking lot drainage; add a disabled accessible restroom; and more.
The PARC program is more than an investment in recreational spaces; it's a catalyst for job creation, support for small businesses and labor, promotion of physical and mental health, education, and environmental improvement. The range of projects funded under this program illustrates its broad impact.
Are you in the construction industry in Illinois? This could be your chance to contribute to these exciting projects. Keep an eye on the developments and be ready to bring your expertise to the table.