Tues., Mar. 18, 2008

Mon., Mar. 17, 2008

Robert Kuzmicki Recreation Education Scholarship

The Lisle Park District will award $500 scholarships to two college-bound students residing in the Lisle Park District.  Click here for scholarship application (PDF).

Deadline is April 11, 2008.

Mon., Mar. 10, 2008

Attention Residents: Please mark your calendars for the following meetings 

• March 11, 7:00 pm at the Community Center (Public Presentation)

• March 13, 7:00 pm at the Meadows Center (Public Presentation)

• April 12, 8:30 am at the Community Center (Board Meeting)

• April 22, 7:00 pm at the Community Center (Final Presentation, Board Meeting) Cancelled.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008

Park District Receives Resident Feedback from Indoor Programming Space Community Advisory Committee

Increased demand for services and the conditions of existing indoor facilities has led the Lisle Park District to investigate the feasibility of constructing a new community recreation center.  The park district currently leases the Meadows Center, 5801 Westview Lane, from Lisle Community Unit School District 202, a relationship that has existed for over 20 years.  Much of the agency’s indoor programming, including Gentle Learning Preschool and the active adult programs, take place at this facility.

Because the existing conditions of the 40+ year-old former school building are cause for concern to both the park and school districts, the Lisle Park District staff and the Board of Park Commissioners have been working to explore all options available for the continued ability to provide quality indoor programming space.  "The cost to repair noted deficiencies in the 24,000 square foot facility, including complete roof replacement, remedying severe structural concerns, as well as the heating and air conditioning systems, electrical services, and fire suppression systems will be significant," director of parks & recreation Dan Garvy says.  "Acquiring the facility and addressing these deficiencies will cost in the millions of dollars, and at the end of the day the district will have done nothing to address its indoor space constraints." 

Over the past several weeks, the district has been working with Williams Architects, a Carol Stream based firm responsible for the construction of both Sea Lion Aquatic Park and The View Restaurant & Bar, in developing preliminary conceptual plans for a mulit-use, multi-generational facility that would be able to accommodate all of the current indoor programs.  The conceptual design takes into consideration the growing need for indoor programming space as well as incorporates feedback the district has received by residents.

Recently, members of Community Park Fitness (the park district operated fitness center) have expressed a desire for the Lisle Park District to provide more cardiovascular equipment.  Currently, the facility is located within the Lisle Park District Community Center located at 1825 Short Street.  According to Garvy, adding any more demand to the electrical service is not possible. 

Garvy also stated there are many other constraints and inadequacies that prevent the park district from being able to accommodate various community demands, including more program offerings, more diversity in program times, and just an overall lack of specific program space.

"When the current 15,000 square foot Community Center was constructed over 30 years ago, the Lisle Park District had only a handful of employees," says Garvy.  "Today, 15 full time employees and a fitness center occupy the space, and the associated electrical and mechanical requirements to support what the facility has become are beyond maxed out." 

The current conceptual plan calls for a 75,000 square foot facility that will provide space for early childhood programs, including the district's Gentle Learning Pre School, a fitness center, separate fitness class rooms, an arts and crafts room, three multi-use rooms, an indoor walking-jogging track, a senior wing, staff offices and two full-sized basketball courts.  There is also a design for a green roof over a portion of the conceptual facility.

Currently the Lisle Park District does not have access to its own full-sized indoor basketball court. "Right now, indoor youth sports programs are at the mercy of the school district.  While [School District] 202 continues to work with us, they are getting hard pressed to provide the park district with the space our programs demand," says athletic and youth camp supervisor Erica Wise.  "Because there is such a shortage of indoor gym space in our community, our participants have limited practice and playing time, and even when the facilities are available, we are forced to have our teams share courts for practice.  It has become a very frustrating experience for our participants."

Garvy says that no matter what the district ultimately decides to do, the cost to continue to provide the services our constituents are accustomed to receiving will require a large community investment.  In a report Garvy provided to the Board of Park Commissioners, he stated the first step in this phase of the project is to assemble a group of those familiar with district programs and facilities and aren't afraid to speak their minds.  Garvy's report continues, "Park district staff reached out to parents of participants in our pre-school and early childhood programs, youth sports & leagues, and teen programs; volunteer coaches; adults active in our fitness center and fitness & wellness classes; as well as seniors active in our active adult programs and trips.  Diversity was the primary goal in assembling this group of individuals, and we are thrilled with the volunteerism exhibited." 

For more information on public meetings and progress through this phase of the project, please visit www.lisleparkdistrict.org, or call 630-964-3410.

See Daily Herald Coverage

November 5, 2007

Don Cook Receives CHARACTER COUNTS! Pillar Award in Citizenship

Lisle Park Board President, Don Cook, was awarded the CHARACTER COUNTS! Adult Pillar Award for Citizenship during the Village of Lisle Board Meeting on Monday, November 5 at 7:30pm. Don was nominated for this award because of his untiring commitment to the community. "With 31 years with the Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District, Don still found the time to volunteer with the Lisle Park District board working his way first as a concerned citizen who saw the need of repair at some tennis courts near his home, to being a regular meeting attendee, running for a board trustee position and serving on the board in a capacity that led to his current position as board president. Don’s dealing with the board and the community shows that when he gives his word, it is as good as gold. Congratulations Don you are indeed a model citizen."  A complete list of the Pillar Award Honorees is as follows:

 List of November, 2007 Pillar Award Honorees:

1. Pillar for Responsibility in adult category to Lou O'Brien

2. Pillar for Caring in adult category to Dr. Charles Sweet

3. Pillar for Respect in adult category to John Cieplak

4. Pillar for Citizenship in adult category to Donald Cook

5. Pillar for Trustworthiness in adult category to Paula Gleason

6. Pillar for Citizenship in the Service Group category to The Lisle Woman’s Club and members, Patricia Abelson and Leona Conforti

7. Pillar for Responsibility in the Service Group category to the Lisle Woodridge Fire District and Bureau Chief Jim French and Inspector Chris Hull