The new year will bring major spending initiatives at the Park District of Oak Park as work on rebuilding Ridgeland Common facilities and building a new gymnastics center launch.
A draft of the Park District of Oak Park’s 2013 budget will be presented for public review this week, ahead of a hearing and approval next month.
The capital projects fund accounts for purchases and construction expenditures related to the acquisition and improvement of major capital facilities and equipment. The fund has about $29.5 million in proposed expenses scheduled for 2013. The district also plans to issue the third planned $10 million bond for improvements to Ridgeland Common, the new gymnastics center and the administration building. Revenues in that fund from property taxes, bond issuance and transfers from operating funds will be almost $13.5 million.
The expected completion of the gymnastics center was one of the main draft budget highlights included in a list sent by Jim Egeberg, the park district’s finance director.
The new center with expanded programming is expected to open next fall. Construction at Ridgeland Common, another major budget element, will begin after the facility closes in March.
Other highlights in that fund include improvements to the coach house and solarium at Cheney Mansion, a summer dining porch at Pleasant Home, pool enhancements at Rehm Pool and replacement boilers at Barrie, Field, Longfellow and Stevenson centers. Master plan improvements at Scoville Park will also be completed next year, the vehicle replacement program will continue and the park district’s website will be redeveloped.
Egeberg said the Comprehensive Outdoor Athletic Field Development and Operations plan will be implemented next year, which means the park district will hire a sports field specialist and purchase additional field maintenance equipment.
Updated medical devices will also be installed at all facilities and the park district’s PACT facility-sharing program will be implemented.
A public hearing on the draft budget will be held Dec. 6.
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