During Monday night's board meeting, Director of Recreation, Parks & Community Health, Kevin Adams and Andrew Caputo from Williams Architect presented a PowerPoint to the Park Forest Board of Trustees discussing the results and recommendations based on the Facility Assessment for the Park Forest Aqua Center.
Adams began the presentation by stating that the Park Forest Aqua Center has been a vital recreational facility for the community for over 70 years. However, he reminded the Board that a comprehensive facility assessment was commissioned last fall due to rising water consumption and ongoing maintenance issues. This assessment, conducted by Williams Architects and the engineering firm Councilman-Hunsaker, revealed significant structural and operational deficiencies in the four existing pools.
What's wrong with the Park Forest Aqua Center?
As Caputo showed the Board the Park Forest Aqua Center Master Plan, he highlighted many issues with the facility. He noted that all the pools had extensive leaking and significant corrosion on the pool's mechanical equipment. Additionally, he mentioned that the pool deck and infrastructure are all in poor condition. Caputo stated that renovating the existing pools, as is, would require significant alterations, costing between $18 and $20 million.
What options does the Village have?
Option One
Caputo explained that the Village could consider funding a smaller, combined pool incorporating design elements from the existing four Park Forest Aqua Center pools. This plan includes relocating the slide flume and replacing the slide tower. A new combined pump house and mechanical room would also be installed to house filters, pumps, and hardware.
Caputo noted that the estimated cost for this new facility is $8 million. The Village can allocate $5 million toward the project without impacting resident taxes, but additional funding will be required to meet the entire budget. No grant funding is currently available, but if grant funding is secured in 2025, the new combined pool could be scheduled for completion in 2026. This would lead to a multi-season closure. Due to staff recruitment timing, the Aqua Center would still close for the 2025 season.
Option Two
The second option involves a partial renovation and the addition of a splash pad. Caputo explained that this plan would decommission the west pool and repurpose it into a new splash pad, which would be fenced to allow for use before and after Aqua Center hours. This option involves less extensive renovations for the other three existing pools to improve functionality, including PVC membrane pool lining to reduce water loss and annual maintenance, gutter repairs, and tile trims.
Caputo mentioned that modifications to the mechanical room equipment to meet modern standards would be included. This plan would cost approximately $3.5 million. The Park Forest Aqua Center would need to close for the 2025 season to allow for planning, pool renovations, and splash pad construction.
Adams said this option would provide a cost-effective enhancement in line with modern aquatic facility trends while addressing some of the current infrastructure issues. He concluded that it presents the opportunity for phased renovations in the future, should grant funding become available.
What direction will the Village Take?
Ultimately, the decision lies with the Park Forest Board of Trustees, as this item will be presented again at the Monday, April 7th Board of Trustees meeting. Director Adams suggested that the Village Board proceed with Option Two, which includes partial renovations of the remaining pools and adding the splash pad within a budget of $3.5 million. The funding would come from expiring debt service for another capital improvement project, resulting in no additional cost to residents.
Adams indicated that the next steps would involve completing a detailed plan for the remodel, including a deeper due diligence review of existing conditions, and submitting it to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for approval. He noted that the agency would classify the impending project as a "major alteration," requiring the facility to meet current code standards. The state will identify additional modifications necessary to keep the facility to code.
Adams stated that this could influence how the $3.5 million is spent. Nevertheless, he emphasized that Option Two would succeed in modernizing the facility by renovating the most deteriorated and underused pool and replacing it with a new, desired feature. While this option does not comprehensively address all of the facility's infrastructure issues, it allows the Aqua Center to remain a resource in Park Forest while addressing existing conditions and providing improvements most cost-effectively.