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Community Recreation Center and/or Pool
2021-2022 $10M Grant Information
In September 2021, the Village of Villa Park received notice that the community received a $10 million grant from the Department of Natural Resources- Build Illinois Bond Fund grant to be used towards costs associated with the construction of a Parks and Recreation Center. For more information on this grant and the current status click here.
In Motion
In recent years, the Village of Villa Park has made great strides in providing outstanding services to our residents and visitors, especially in the area of parks and community recreation. These efforts helped make Villa Park the 28th Best Place to Live in America, according to Money Magazine (2017), but there’s still work to do! The Village must continue to build for future generations. After thorough research – including site surveys, the completion of Lufkin and Jefferson Pool assessments (PDF), and the adoption of a Master Plan, the Village has determined that it would be in the interests of the community and consistent with the Master Plan documents to develop a Community Pool &/or Recreation Center. This project is ambitious, gives back to all, and provides our community members an environment to learn and grow in mind and body.
Quality of Life for Residents is a High Priority
While Villa Park has been recognized as one of the best places to live in America, there are still steps we must take to improve life in the Village — especially when it comes to the physical, mental, and financial health of the public. According to the National Recreation and Park Association’s Community Standards Report, Parks and Recreation agencies have the power to strengthen communities, transform lives, and protect the future. Parks systems have a positive impact on communities by driving economic activity, saving taxpayers money, making people healthy, and addressing issues of social equality. The development of a Community Pool &/or Recreation Center will bring fresh energy and a renewed spirit to our community. The Village of Villa Park sees a continued need to invest in the quality of life of our residents, and a Community Pool &/or Recreation Center would help fill that need.
We’re IN MOTION: A Community Pool &/or Recreation Center will help Villa Park Build for the Future
According to the National Recreation and Park Association’s Community Standards Report, Parks and Recreation agencies have the power to strengthen communities, transform lives, and protect the future. Parks systems have a positive impact on communities by…
- Driving economic activity: The presence of quality parks has been repeatedly shown to increase property values.
- Saving taxpayers money through valuable ecosystem services: Parks are essential tools for conservation and environmental sustainability.
- Encouraging a healthy lifestyle: Access to park and recreation facilities aids in the control of obesity, boosts the immune system, diminishes the risk of disease, and increases life expectancy.
- Addressing issues of social equality: Parks and recreation help build and strengthen community ties, bringing diverse populations together and increasing social capital.
- Reducing the Village’s carbon footprint: If a recreation building were constructed, the Village would vacate the Iowa Community Center (ICC) in an effort to reduce the Village’s carbon footprint.
- Fostering community cooperation: The Village of Villa Park cooperates with community partners and community resource officers through intergovernmental agreements, with the maintenance of properties such as ball fields and soccer fields. These facilities would give school districts, local senior centers, and youth programs more space and scheduling options.
The Village’s Park and Recreation Master Plan states, "There will be many challenging and difficult decisions facing the Village Board as the Parks Master Plan is adopted, primarily dealing with funding for the various segments of the Community - Streets, Infrastructure, Government; but what many people notice, and what dramatically enhances property values, is the quality of the community parks.”
Community Pool &/or Recreation Center Q&A
update:
In September 2021, the Village of Villa Park received notice that the community received a $10 million grant from the Department of Natural Resources- Build Illinois Bond Fund grant to be used towards costs associated with the construction of a Parks and Recreation Center. For more information on this grant and the current status click here.
Update:
A non-binding referendum question was placed on the April 2, 2019 election ballot, asking:
Do you support the Village of Villa Park, Illinois, spending up to $1,000,000 in new property taxes to fund repairs to Lufkin Pool which would allow the Village to safely reopen the pool?
This referendum did not pass.
Resources
July 16, 2019 Feasibility Study (PDF)
December 29, 2017 Village President’s Letter (PDF)
2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PDF)
2013 Williams Architects Facility Evaluation: Lufkin & Jefferson Pools (PDF)
Community Pool &/or Recreation Center Q&A
2012 Geotechnical Investigation (Soil Boring) of Lufkin Park (PDF)
1974 Purchase Documents for Lufkin Pool (PDF)
As presented at the February 26, 2018 Village Board Meeting:
Lufkin Pool Status 2.26.2018 (PDF)
Village Financial Overview 2.26.2018 (PDF)
Questions/Comments? Email us: In Motion Email