Governor Pat Quinn visited Carol Stream on Monday, August 28 to sign a new law allowing the Carol Stream Park District to complete several new projects that will benefit the community. The law will result in the completion of important recreation projects and create 225 construction jobs. The governor was joined at the ceremony by community leaders at the site of the new Carol Stream Recreation Center, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2013.

“The heart of so many communities are public spaces where everyone is welcome to exercise, learn new skills, and enjoy each other’s company,” Governor Quinn said. “This new law will create jobs and help the Carol Stream Park District build the new facilities that its voters approved.”

Senate Bill 3184, sponsored by Sen. John Millner (R-Carol Stream) and Rep. Randy Ramey Jr. (R – Carol Stream) provides an exception to Illinois law regarding bonding limits on park districts for the Carol Stream Park District. In February 2010, voters approved the issuance of $37 million in bonds to finance the construction of multiple projects, but due to the Great Recession, property values declined enough to limit the park district’s ability under current law to issue all of the bonds.

However, with long-term bond rates at historically low levels, this law will allow the Carol Stream Park District to complete $8 million worth of projects that would’ve otherwise been abandoned without raising property taxes. Those projects will stimulate the local economy, create jobs, and improve the quality of life in Carol Stream. This law, which goes into effect immediately, passed the General Assembly with a strong bipartisan majority and has the support of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and DuPage County.

The centerpiece of the voter-approved referendum is the $20 million Recreation Center. A total of 51 construction companies are working on the 90,000-square foot project and employing 225 workers at various stages of its estimated 18-month construction cycle. It will house an indoor pool, basketball courts, a track and fitness center, as well as program/meeting rooms. It will be the first full-sized public recreation center in Illinois to be LEED-certified.

Other projects that will be supported by this legislation include a lighted sports field, a renovated Armstrong park with flood control, trails and pathways, modern playgrounds, pool improvements, a dog park and other repairs and renovations. When complete, it is expected that these improvement projects will increase participation and usage in the Carol Stream Park District by 15%, or between 6,000-8,000 people a year and create the equivalent of 12 full-time jobs within the park district.

From a distance it may not look like much has changed at the recreation center building site since the walls went up in April – but take a closer look and you’ll notice several new elements of the building taking shape. A lot of work has taken place underground, with the geothermal heating system now in place, cement foundation walls have been constructed, and steel girders erected for the frame of the building. In the gymnasium steel beams have been installed and work has begun on the gymnasium roof.

Later this month the Carol Stream Park District board will vote on a name for the recreation center – from a shortlist of names suggested by park district residents.

In less than one week the construction site at Carol Stream Town Center has transformed from foundations to four walls, with the new recreation center being to take shape.

The pre-fabricated concrete walls are 12 feet wide, over 40 feet tall, and weigh several tons each. These walls create the structure that will become the new gymnasium.