Sunday, November 22, 2009 East Central Illinois
The Answer Book 2005
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Park districts are out to make a splash BY MIKE MONSON © 2009 THE NEWS-GAZETTE CHAMPAIGN - By the time you read this, one of the Champaign Park District's best-known facilities will have closed its gates. The pool is closing to make way for construction of a new $7.2 million aquatic center that will feature a lazy river, eight swimming lanes of 25 yards, a kiddie pool and a zero-depth activity pool that allows people to wade into the deeper section of the pool. Also included in the project will be a drop slide, three shade structures and a remodeled and expanded bathhouse and concession area. Construction of the new aquatic complex should be completed by July 1, 2006, and it should be "a crown jewel" among park district facilities, according to Bobbie Herakovich, general manager of the Champaign Park District.
The existing pool, which has eight 50-yard swimming lanes, has served the city well, but its time had passed, she said. The pool lost 1 million gallons of water in 2004 and, like an old car, was needing more and more repairs each year. "At some point, it needs so many repairs you have to replace it," said Herakovich. The park district intends to finance the project with 20-year revenue bonds and alternative revenue bonds. Those bonds will require a $500,000 to $600,000 annual payment, which the park district should be able to handle out of annual revenues. English Brothers Co. of Champaign is the general contractor for the project. The low $7.2 million bid came in $900,000 over the architect's estimate, so the park district board decided against adding a "deep well," a 10-foot deep area of the pool where people can jump off diving boards. That feature could be added later if the pool turns a profit, Herakovich said. Other Champaign Park District highlights include: The Champaign Skatepark, 900 Harris St., includes 18,000 square feet of concrete with a pair of bowls, a snake run and a street course. 398-2550. The Champaign Park District Laborers Memorial, at Dodds Park, recognizes the people of Champaign County who have lost their lives in the course of their work. 398-2550. Douglass Community Center, 512 E. Grove St., is a multipurpose building with a gym, weight-training room, showers and locker rooms and a stage. 398-2573. The Hays Center, 1311 W. Church St., offers a social meeting room, indoor shuffleboard court, kitchen and piano. 398-2580. Kaufman Lake, 2612 W. Springfield Ave., has a boathouse and offers seasonal hayrack rentals. 398-2570. Leonhard Recreation Center, 2112 W. Sangamon Drive, offers everything from yoga classes to basketball and volleyball games, teen dances and a summer day camp. 398-2571. The Springer Cultural Center, 301 N. Randolph St., offers fitness, woodworking and preschool programs and classes in music, dance, visual arts and drama. The Tennis Center, 2802 Farber Drive, includes six indoor tennis courts for lessons, workouts and matches. 352-6044. Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Park Ave., is the home for a variety of concerts, plays, films and other entertainment. 356-9053. Urbana Park District highlights include: The 10-acre Urbana Dog Park, just off Perkins Road east of Cunningham Avenue, is a fenced-in park that allows dogs to run free. Annual membership to use the park is $30 for Champaign, Urbana and Rantoul residents and $60 for others. The Urbana Park District has reciprocal agreements with the Champaign and Rantoul park districts. The park includes a smaller fenced-in area of about an acre for small or timid dogs. The Anita Purves Nature Center, 1505 N. Broadway Ave., is an educational facility that offers environmental programs throughout the year. 384-4062. Brookens Gymnasium, 1776 E. Washington St., is the home for basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, tumbling and fitness classes. 344-9583. Meadowbrook Park consists of 130 acres along Windsor Road and Race Street, including a Prairie Play wooden playground for children, a historic homestead, concrete walking paths and several gardens. About 80 acres of the park has been planted with prairie grasses. Phillips Recreation Center, 505 W. Stoughton St., hosts dance, fitness and fine arts programs and programs for preschoolers, teens and senior citizens. 367-1544. The Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center, 102 E. Michigan Ave., offers swimming and diving. 384-POOL. |
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