Expanding the Elgin Sports Complex will cost about $7.7 million more than budgeted by the city, the Elgin City Council was told Wednesday.
The city allocated $14.3 million for the entire project, which in addition to covering the cost of such amenities as new synthetic turf playing fields, a playground and an open-air pavilion was to include the $2 million aleady spent to clear the site.
With the pricetag actually coming in at $21 million just for the renovation work and only $12.3 left in the budget, the shortfall is $8.7 million. A $1 million Build Illinois grant awarded by the state brings the difference down to $7.7 million, City Manager Rick Kozal said.
Instead of scaling back the work, the city will cover the remaining cost with reserve money from the city’s general fund, Kozal said.
Council members approved the $21 million contract with the George Sollitt Construction Co. Construction is expected to start in September, said Maria Cumpata, executive director of Elgin’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The contract breaks down to $17.9 million for the base price work and $3.1 million in add-ons, meaning they’ll do all the work at once rather than in phases, Cumpata said. That should save money in the long run, she said.
According the plans, the 87-acre expansion will include new synthetic sports fields, a 1,991-square-foot concession building with public restrooms, a new maintenance building and a 1,920-square-foot open-air pavilion. A total of 271 parking spaces will be added along with a central plaza for events and a walking trail around the new fields.
A new entrance to the complex off Route 31 is part of the plan.
“This proactive investment by the city is financially prudent as it mitigates the impact of future price increases for materials and labor, ensuring that funds are used more effectively today rather than facing higher costs tomorrow,” Cumpata said.
The hope is that the addition of the new fields and other amenities will lead to more tournaments, including football, lacrosse and rugby, being booked at the complex and generating revenue that will offset the expansion cost, officials said.
Consulting firm SmithGroup, which has been working with Elgin for about a decade on the project, has told officials that, based on marketing studies, additional sports fields will not only meet local demand for more space but increase the city’s potential for bringing in out-of-town tournaments.
Elgin purchased the 87 acres east of the existing complex from the state in 2013 with an eye toward future expansion. Two buildings on the property were demolished and the site cleared of trees and debris.
The expansion will enhance what the complex already has to offer, including the Highland Golf Course, soccer and softball fields, two sand volleyball courts and a BMX racing course. Currently, it has 990 parking spaces with one entrance off Mclean Boulevard.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
