Another 'Surprise' With Elmhurst Park Bandshell

ELMHURST, IL – The 6-month-long controversy over the proposed bandshell at Elmhurst's Wilder Park took another turn this week.

Now, the Elmhurst Park District is gathering local feedback on the location, among other issues. This was after residents objected to building it next to the iconic Wilder Mansion, obstructing views.

The park board has been split over the issue. The debate has resulted in tense moments among members.

At Monday's board meeting, the bandshell's dimensions came up when member Carolyn Ubriaco asked about them.

Engineers said the plans had the front at 60 feet, with the structure being 40 feet in depth. That was to accommodate an orchestra of up to 60 players.

The bandshell would be a lot larger than the temporary "Showmobile" that was used for performances for decades near the mansion.

"Sixty feet is substantially wider than what we were talking about originally, which was approximately 40," Ubriaco said. "Is it possible to bring it back to the original scale based on what we were talking about?"

Another member, Vince Spaeth, said he did not necessarily oppose the new size, but questioned why members were finding out about it now.

"I think ultimately, no surprises are the best surprise. This is a little bit of a surprise," he said.

Board President Kevin Graf said, "It's not a surprise to me."

"It's the first we've heard of it," Spaeth said.

Member Claire Kubiesa said the board had never agreed on size.

"We didn't know because there was no design (before)," she said.

In an email to Patch on Thursday, residents Jim Schuetz and Andrea Hutchinson, who have opposed putting the bandshell next to the mansion, said the structure's size was withheld from the public. They called that unacceptable.

"(T)he significant size increase was never mentioned during our recent meeting with (park district executive director) Jim Rogers, where our team sought to discuss the pros and cons of the two potential sites," they said. "This expanded design not only alters the character of the project but also threatens to further compromise the iconic views of Wilder Mansion and diminish the open green space that defines Wilder Park."

Patch left a message for comment with Rogers on Thursday afternoon.

Last November, voters approved the bandshell as a small part of a $90 million referendum.