Elmhurst Park District commissioners voted unanimously Monday, Aug. 5, to put a referendum item on the November ballot, asking voters to approve a nearly $90 million bond issue to replace the aging Joanne B. Wagner Community Center, put a bandshell in Wilder Park and add amenities to several other city parks.
The list of projects includes just under $85 million to replace the Wagner Center, built in 1952 as an elementary school, $2.5 million for the Wilder Park bandshell with year-round heated restrooms, $1.5 million for heated year-round restrooms at Crestview and Eldridge Parks and along the Prairie Path and $1 million for artificial turf on an existing field at Berens Park.
District officials say a new Wagner Center would feature a free indoor walking track, a gym for pickleball, basketball and volleyball, artificial turf for sports including soccer, football and baseball, space for gymnastics, early childhood classrooms, larger dance studios and multi-purpose spaces.
“I’m very excited and very hopeful to bring this to community members,” Commissioner Claire Kubiesa said in voting for the referendum. “I’m excited to give residents the opportunity to invest in something so important.”
Park District officials said surveys showed nearly 60 % voter support for the Elevate Elmhurst Parks plans.
If voters approve the referendum question, the projects would be paid for with a general obligation bond issue with a maximum 25-year maturity
According to the Elmhurst Park District website, if approved, the referendum bond issue would add a maximum annual tax increase of $253 for a home with a market value of $400,000. The owner of a home with a market value of $600,000 would see an annual increase of $380, while the owner of a home with a market value of $1,000,000 would see an annual increase of $633. A page on the district website includes a calculator where residents can plug in their home’s value and see the exact impact of the bond issue. Financials and Tax Impact | Elmhurst Park District (epd.org)
District officials said a July 22 review of a comprehensive survey which drew more than 500 responses showed strong community support for the proposed projects. According to the district website, Commissioner Carolyn Ubriaco said then, “There’s a downside in not pursuing this. We have been made aware that these are significant needs that aren’t being met. We’ve done the homework to find out what it would take to satisfy those needs. Following through is good governance.”
According to the Park District commissioners, the last Park District referendum was in 1972. In late 2019, Park District board members dropped a $105 million plan for an indoor sports facility and other park projects after survey results showed weak community support.
At Monday’s meeting, park board President Kevin Graf said he was “overjoyed we got to ask residents what they want. I’m looking forward to November.”
The referendum question will be on the general election ballot on Nov. 5.
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
