A large renovation of the Kenilworth Beach may be one step closer as a large majority of village voters have supported a bond sale referendum set to pay for a portion of the proposed project.
In the March 19 election, a bond sale referendum set to raise up to $2.5 million passed by a nearly 3-1 margin. The property tax impact would be an additional approximate $126 per year on a home with a $1 million equalized assessed value.
The village wants to improve the beach with new food and beverage options, new bathrooms, improved access, multi-purpose spaces and boat storage to the decommissioned water plant and surrounding public beach area.
“Additionally, there will be short-term storage options for beach gear and options to rinse off sand before heading home,” Village Manager Patrick Brennan wrote in an email. “We also received requests for additional shaded spaces where visitors can observe the water, but be protected from the sun. So shaded spaces are being planned.”
However, even with the passage of the bond sale referendum, some financial questions remain.
The “full scope” project has a total estimated cost of $8.4 million, according to village. Kenilworth officials have indicated they will spend $3.4 million in village funds for the project that will now go along with the up to $2.5 million in proceeds from the bond sale.
That leaves about $2.5 million the village hopes to receive through a private fundraising campaign.
“That effort will begin in April with a period of focused outreach to individuals possibly interested in offering transformational gifts to the Kenilworth Beach (Village) that will significantly benefit the community for decades,” Brennan wrote.
Brennan added, “If adequate funding is not received, the Village Board will need to discuss cost reduction options with the architect that would likely eliminate or scale back some of the intended improvements. Improved site access will remain as an outcome no matter the funding.”
On a larger level, Brennan said the project is in a design/development phase. Therefore, he could not predict when it would be completed and available to the public.
“If all goes smoothly, we hope to commence construction in October or November of this year,” he noted.
Village President Cecily Kaz wrote in an email she hopes to provide more information in a few weeks.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
