URBANA-- Urbana park board members Tuesday night provisionally approved issuing $7 million in general obligation bonds to finance construction of a new aquatic center at Crystal Lake Park.

The unanimous 5-0 vote will help expedite the process of selling the bonds and beginning construction on the pool if voters approve a property tax increase at the polls on April 5. Park district Executive Director Vicki Mayes said that by jump-starting the financial process now, the bond sale could be closed as early as May 24. Park board members said that would allow them to take advantage of historically low bond interest rates and anticipated low construction costs.

But if voters defeat the 11 cents per $100 of assessed valuation property tax proposal, the bond sale would be canceled, board members stressed.

If approved, the $7.7 million aquatic center, to be built on the site of the old Crystal Lake Pool, would be open for the summer of 2013 under the park district's plans.

Also Tuesday, the board approved a $179,900 contract with English Brothers Co. of Champaign to rehabilitate a large barn at Meadowbrook Park so it can be used for environmental education programs and special events. The barn requires electrical work, roof replacement, foundation improvements and the replacement of windows.

And the board approved a $22,380 contract with Frauenhoffer and Associates to design a handicapped-accessible "gateway trail" linking the Anita Purves Nature Center and the Busey Woods Boardwalk Trail. The gateway trail, to be funded mostly with a state grant, is expected to be built this summer.

Representatives of the Illinois Summer Opportunity Organization, a University of Illinois student organization, presented the park district with a check for $9,000 to support summer camp scholarships for children. The money came from the group's annual Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament.