River Forest park board considers new projects

Commissioners talk fitness and teen center, ice rink and platform tennis

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 10:00 PM

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One of two platform tennis courts being installed in Keystone Park is currently under construction.

Park administrative offices at Metra depot

One of two platform tennis courts being installed in Keystone Park is currently under construction.

Park administrative offices at Metra depot

By Devin Rose

Staff Reporter

A teen center and a fitness center were among ideas discussed last Thursday by the River Forest Park District board as they develop a strategic plan for the near future.

The board needs to give the park district some direction, said board President Tom Cargie, and they've been taking suggestions since August from the public regarding what residents would like to see built or improved.

Commissioner Lou Nieto suggested the creation of an event for adults and families, a village-wide block party. He also said indoor events for seniors could be arranged, such as a trip to a mall, since the village has no space for walking trails.

Another suggestion from Nieto was a partnership with Gottlieb Hospital to eventually build a fitness center. Board Vice President Molly Hague mentioned a small building for sale on Ashland and Central avenues that might provide the site, or could eventually serve as a facility for teens.

Currently, the park administrative offices at Metra depot on Thatcher Avenue, where commissioners held the meeting, is the largest building the park district has for programming, Cargie said.

An ice rink at Keystone Park was also brought up, but the crown shape of the topography would make it difficult.

"Ideally, that'd be something really cool to have," Cargie said, noting Keystone Park is the center of the community. But a more level area next to Willard School might be an easier site.

Cargie said the key is leveraging what the district already has and finding creative ways to offer more services without having to go to a referendum. He said the district has about $2 million for capital projects and the board will continue to prioritize the projects on their list.

Mike Sletten, park district executive director, reported to the board that construction of the platform tennis courts in Keystone Park is underway, which members were happy to hear.

Hague said she's received emails from residents who are "chomping at the bit" for the two courts to be completed, which Sletten said could happen by Thanksgiving. Once the courts are operational, likely by Jan. 1, the the board's platform tennis committee will handle programming, Sletten said. Most of the time, the courts will be used by those who sign up for a membership, but open court time will also be available.

A heated adjacent building that will house concessions and bathrooms for players will also under construction for the next few weeks.

Dozens of people have expressed interest in the courts, which will be the first in the area. The closest public court right now is in Hindsdale, Sletten said.

The park district will hold a grand opening of the courts in the coming weeks.