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 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 this year 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 Performa; 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 Plans
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 for seniors 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 endorsed 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 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 this year 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 Performa; 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 Plans
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 for seniors 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 endorsed 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 discussed 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 was 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 was how to provide the necessary funding.
2009—Former Viking Dodge Property
In 2009 an attempt was made by the Park District to utilize the former Doge Auto Dealership property on the northeast corner of Routes 176 and 14. That did not work out either. Traffic was a big factor at this location.
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. Selling properties that would not be needed are also part of the present plan
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. Selling properties that would not be needed are also part of the present plan
New Plans Underway
The Park District Board of Commissioners interviewed two firms out of five that responded to a Request for Proposal sent on July 6 to conduct a community survey regarding plans for a recreation center including a pool, district office space, and facilities for various programs.
The Board interviewed representatives from AECOM Technical Services Inc. Chicago, and Ballard *King & Associates, Ltd headquartered in Colorado. At the September 15 Park Board meeting it was decided to retain AECOM for a feasibility study contract in an amount not to exceed $54,055. This action is contingent upon the confirmation of a land purchase contract being finalized.
This firm will conduct a survey of the community to determine the level of public support for various components; demographic data collection; price points for potential tax increase; preliminary concept
Preliminary plans are to be completed by December 15 along with cost to construct such a facility. Also potential partners for use of the facility are to be confirmed and include wellness provider, senior services, District 155, possibly the library and retail groups.
The plan also calls for a poll of likely voters in April of next year so that the referendum can be fine tuned for the November 6 2012 Election.
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