Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—The future of the Park Forest Aqua Center requires extensive renovation. This was a significant topic at the Park Forest Village Board meeting on Monday evening. As reported previously in eNews Park Forest, the 70-year-old facility requires substantial repairs. It will remain closed for the 2025 season while officials decide its future.
Recreation, Parks, and Community Health Director Kevin Adams explained that the village hired Williams Architects and the engineering firm of Counsilman-Hunsaker. They will conduct a detailed analysis of the Aqua Center, assess its condition, and provide the village with potential repair options.
Andrew Caputo, a Senior Project Manager at Williams Architects, presented the firm’s findings and repair and reconstruction options.
$18-$20 Million to Repair Existing Facility
According to Caputo, the current Aqua Center requires extensive repairs to address leaks and pool cracks. It also needs significant repairs to its mechanical systems, including filters and pumps. The west pool (closest to Central Park), which requires the most repairs, currently leaks 20,000 gallons daily. Adams said the village noticed a sharp increase in water usage about five years ago. He noted that the seasonal cost jumped from $21,000 to $120,000.
Caputo stated that addressing all the issues in the current Aqua Center configuration would cost between $18 million and $20 million.
Two alternative proposals for a remodeled facility were presented. The village recognized that such an expenditure was beyond its financial capabilities.
Option One: A New, Smaller Combined Pool
The first option discussed was constructing a new, smaller pool that would incorporate elements of the current facility. This proposal consists of a single pool with sections dedicated to a four-lane lap pool, a plunge pool featuring a slide, and a zero-depth pool that gradually increases in depth to five feet. The cost of this configuration was quoted at $8.25 million. Caputo noted that this configuration could be completed in stages over several years. However, this incurs additional costs beyond the quoted figure.
Due to the complex nature of this proposal, the construction of Option One would last into the 2026 calendar year, potentially jeopardizing the 2026 swimming season.
Option Two: Partial Renovation with Splash Pad Addition
The second option presented would include repairs to the east pool (the one closest to Orchard Drive), the zero-depth pool, and the plunge pool. It would also demolish the west pool. The area currently occupied by the west pool would become a new splash pad. This would feature fencing to separate it from the rest of the facility, allowing use before and after the peak summer swim season.
The estimated cost of Option Two was $3.5 million—significantly less than that of Option One. The facility will not open in 2025. However, it is likely to reopen for the 2026 season. In response to questions from the village trustees, Caputo noted that option two carries a greater risk due to the age and condition of the existing pools and equipment. He stated that the average lifespan of a municipal pool is 35 to 40 years. The east and west pools were both built in the 1960s.
Village Staff Recommends Option Two
In his briefing to the Board submitted on March 10, Director Adams stated that the village staff recommends Option Two. This option involves partially renovating the three pools and the construction of a splash pad in place of the west pool.
Adams noted that the village has the necessary funds to execute this $3.5 million option without requiring grants or additional costs for residents. Option One, in contrast, would require additional funding. While grants can be pursued to assist with the cost, there is no guarantee that funding will be secured.
“While this option (Number Two) does not replace all of the facility’s infrastructure issues, it does allow the facility to remain as a resource in Park Forest. It addresses existing conditions while providing improvements in the most cost-effective manner,” noted Adams.
The board members will review the options and seek guidance from staff. A final vote will occur within the next several weeks.
Once officials make a decision, a more detailed analysis of the necessary repairs will follow. The Village will then submit plans to the Illinois Department of Public Health for review and approval.
