The Park Forest Board of Trustees signaled it may be back to the drawing board after learning the Village needs more than $3 million beyond its budget to keep the Park Forest Aqua Center open.
At Monday night’s board meeting, Recreation, Parks and Community Health Director Kevin Adams explained that during the “due diligence” process, consultant review of the Illinois Department of Public Health Swimming Facility Code would require improvements that pushed costs well past the $3.5 million the Village had set aside for upgrades.
Facility assessments conducted in 2024 and 2025 by Williams Architects and Councilman-Hunsaker confirmed the 70-year-old center faces extensive leaks, corrosion and functional issues. The price tag to complete the original renovation plan has now grown to more than $7 million.
In response, Village staff presented trustees with five options ranging from a complete $20 million redevelopment to closing the facility altogether. Other possibilities include a scaled-back renovation, construction of only a splash pad or a combination of a splash pad and new lap pool.
Adams recommended the latter plan — building a new Lap Swim Pool alongside a large splash pad. The project is estimated at $6.5 million, including contingencies. Adams said the design would reduce annual staffing costs compared with the current complex while preserving lap swimming, learn-to-swim programs and family recreation.
“This option replaces the failing infrastructure while still providing inclusive aquatic recreation for residents of all ages,” Adams said, adding that the scaled plan would allow for future expansion if funding becomes available.
Some trustees pushed back. Trustee Maya Hardy said she was not in favor of the proposal and urged staff to return with more alternatives that serve different age groups. Trustee Randall White echoed her concerns.
“I almost want to say, can we go back to the drawing board to make sure we can accommodate the children, as well as the seniors, as well as the adults in between,” Hardy said.
Trustee John Moore suggested the Village should use the moment to rethink the Aqua Center’s operations.
“Is this an opportunity to right-size the operations of the Aqua Center, which in the long-term would make it more sustainable?” Moore asked.
Adams agreed with Moore and said the Village and its residents will need to view the Park Forest Aqua Center differently and accept that it will not be the same facility it once was.
Trustee Erin Slone focused on the facility’s financial losses. She said revenue has declined from $57,000 in 2021 to $35,000 in 2024, while the general fund has been transferring at least $250,000 annually to cover expenses.
Mayor Joseph A. Woods told residents the discussion was not over, while staff added that with the proposed option, the Park Forest Aqua Center would remain closed for construction in the 2026 season.