Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
The Bolingbrook Park District is asking voters to weigh in on a very rare referendum where voters on the park district portion of their taxes will decrease no matter if they vote for or against the proposal.
Bolingbrook’s Park District has followed this comprehensive plan since 2013 where community input and discussions have taken place in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
This plan started off in order to refinance old bond and interest debt, with the hopes of it being paid off in 2018.
“We’re paying off $2 million this year,” said Ron Oestreich, Bolingbrook Park District Executive Director. “We’re very excited that either the yes or no vote taxes for the park district portion of the tax bill will go down on the average home.”
The Park District has asked residents to weigh in for the past several years on what their priorities are for the Park District.
As a result of this community feedback they’ve sought, the park district is asking voters to decide on a $14 million referendum request for three main projects — which would be a 20-year bond.
Project one is a Capital Asset Replacement Program (CARP), which would replace 21 playgrounds village-wide and update various facility equipment, exteriors, furniture and fixtures, technology and areas that require paving.
Within the second project, the Lily Cache Greenway pathway connection will be voted upon, which would connect existing trails at Veterans Parkway, as well as existing trails on the east and west sides of Weber Road.
If this ends up being voted upon, it would further connect the regional pathway plan developed in 1989.
The final plan which is the partial renovation of the Bolingbrook Recreation and Aquatic Complex (BRAC), including a remodel of the entrance and hallway; creating two program room spaces; renovating the fitness and aquatics locker rooms at BRAC; adding four family changing rooms; and adding a bridge, pavilion and shade structures to the Lazy River at Pelican Harbor Outdoor Aquatic Park would complete the referendum.
“The reason that we are going for referendum now is because we have aging parks,” Oestreich said. “We have 49 parks and 21 of those have playgrounds that are 20 years of age, so we’re very happy to be able to replace those if the community said yes.”
If the referendum gets passed, The Park District would issue the bond and interest at several points over the next five years.
Projects would be prioritized, with construction beginning as soon as possible, though not all projects would start at the same time.
The amount that the Park District spent in legal fees was a little less than $375,000 over the four-year period, but Oestreich said that this was part of the process and in the end he thinks voters and residents will be much happier if this passes.
“Our mission is to enhance the quality of life,” Oestreich said. “It’s very important that we continue to offer a quality park system so our community can continue to grow and enjoy the outdoors.”
If voters vote yes, the repairs and improvements could be made while decreasing the Park District portion of residents’ tax bills.
This is due to an upcoming elimination of previous Park District bond and interest.
If the measure doesn’t pass, these repairs and improvements are unlikely to happen anytime in the foreseeable future.
The referendum will be on the November 6 election ballot, for those who want vote.