A referendum is in the planning stages for a Crystal Lake Park District Recreation Center. The date for the vote is the General Election on November 6, 2012. The plans for this have been in the works for many months. The Park Board has been working to find a property to purchase for the Center. However, the property has not yet been purchased as negotiations are ongoing.
Once the property is approved for purchase, preliminary concept community input meetings are planned along with the establishment of a core committee to gather community support.
A survey of the residents is planned for mid-November to determine, the level of public support, as well as collecting demographic data and obtaining price points for the potential tax increase.
Preliminary concept plans are to be completed in mid-December along with the construction cost determination, operations proforma; and potential partners for the project to be confirmed. These include a wellness provider, senior services, District 155, and possibly the library and retail outlets.
A poll of likely voters is also planned in April with presentations of what is planned and all the necessary information associated with the plan being presented to various community groups.
Earlier Plan
A Community Center is something that has been discussed, planned and set aside since 2003. It had a beginning then when a Senior Citizen Committee met with the Crystal Lake City Council about the desire to have one location for senior citizens recreational programs.
The City Council was willing to support a senior center, but not exclusively since the council must consider the entire community.
In 2004, the City contracted for a survey regarding the need for a community center, along with a survey on the development of Vulcan Lakes. Health Systems Research, an applied research unit of the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford, conducted the survey. A sample of 3,500 households in both Crystal Lake zip codes received a questionnaire. Returns numbered 1,106 or 31.6%.
The results of those returned surveys showed that just over one-half endorse a community center, while 24.0% believe a community center is not needed. That initiated a decision to go forward with investigation for a Community Center.
2005 Community Center Forum
Once the property is approved for purchase, preliminary concept community input meetings are planned along with the establishment of a core committee to gather community support.
A survey of the residents is planned for mid-November to determine, the level of public support, as well as collecting demographic data and obtaining price points for the potential tax increase.
Preliminary concept plans are to be completed in mid-December along with the construction cost determination, operations proforma; and potential partners for the project to be confirmed. These include a wellness provider, senior services, District 155, and possibly the library and retail outlets.
A poll of likely voters is also planned in April with presentations of what is planned and all the necessary information associated with the plan being presented to various community groups.
Earlier Plan
A Community Center is something that has been discussed, planned and set aside since 2003. It had a beginning then when a Senior Citizen Committee met with the Crystal Lake City Council about the desire to have one location for senior citizens recreational programs.
The City Council was willing to support a senior center, but not exclusively since the council must consider the entire community.
In 2004, the City contracted for a survey regarding the need for a community center, along with a survey on the development of Vulcan Lakes. Health Systems Research, an applied research unit of the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford, conducted the survey. A sample of 3,500 households in both Crystal Lake zip codes received a questionnaire. Returns numbered 1,106 or 31.6%.
The results of those returned surveys showed that just over one-half endorse a community center, while 24.0% believe a community center is not needed. That initiated a decision to go forward with investigation for a Community Center.
2005 Community Center Forum
In 2005, Mayor Aaron Shepley suggested it was time to move forward. The City and the Crystal Lake Park District jointly hosted a Community Center Forum. Representatives of various groups, including the schools senior citizens, Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) were a part of this meeting. Each group would communicate their ideas back to the city shortly after the beginning of 2006.
2006-Begin Planning
Discussions on a community center began in May with interested citizens forming committees for site consideration, facility, and finances. Since that time, meetings of the subcommittees and the entire group have been discussing the components of the community center.
Representatives of numerous Crystal Lake agencies were part of the group including the Senior Committee, (NISRA), City of Crystal Lake, Park District, High School and Elementary School Districts, Library, Salvation Army, Senior Services, Chamber of Commerce, as well as Crystal Lake residents. Everyone had an idea of what should be included and that was the purpose of the committee.
Some of the participants visited a number of facilities in communities of comparable size as Crystal Lake, providing ideas of what can be done and, perhaps, what should not be done. An architectural consultant, Williams Architects, presented building ideas based on what representatives of the community suggested.
One of the important factors was an indoor swimming pool. Considerable discussion among the citizens regarding the size took place. Another factor was how to configure it for use by high school swim teams as well as the community swimming pleasure. Another consideration is how to provide the necessary funding.
2009—Former Viking Dodge Property
Representatives of numerous Crystal Lake agencies were part of the group including the Senior Committee, (NISRA), City of Crystal Lake, Park District, High School and Elementary School Districts, Library, Salvation Army, Senior Services, Chamber of Commerce, as well as Crystal Lake residents. Everyone had an idea of what should be included and that was the purpose of the committee.
Some of the participants visited a number of facilities in communities of comparable size as Crystal Lake, providing ideas of what can be done and, perhaps, what should not be done. An architectural consultant, Williams Architects, presented building ideas based on what representatives of the community suggested.
One of the important factors was an indoor swimming pool. Considerable discussion among the citizens regarding the size took place. Another factor was how to configure it for use by high school swim teams as well as the community swimming pleasure. Another consideration is how to provide the necessary funding.
2009—Former Viking Dodge Property
In 2009 an attempt was made to utilize the former Doge Auto Dealership property on the northeast corner of Routes 176 and 14. That did not work out either.
In the previous plan, selling some of the current Park District properties was considered. These included the main office facility on Crystal Lake Avenue, the Grand Oaks property on Route 176 with some consideration of keeping the Park Place which is rented for many banquets and similar gatherings. The building was formerly used by the American Legion.
In the previous plan, selling some of the current Park District properties was considered. These included the main office facility on Crystal Lake Avenue, the Grand Oaks property on Route 176 with some consideration of keeping the Park Place which is rented for many banquets and similar gatherings. The building was formerly used by the American Legion.
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