$17M Park District Referendum To Be Posed To Lemont Voters

LEMONT, IL — At its December meeting, the Lemont Park District Board of Commissioners approved a referendum question to be posed to voters in the March 19 primary election.

For several years, the park district has gathered community feedback, held focus groups, community engagement meetings and performed surveys to see what the community desires.

The park district said this referendum, if approved, would not raise taxes for the park district's debt service.

The referendum would include improvements for the CORE, Centennial Community Center, a new Derby Farm Park, and more tennis and pickleball courts at Centennial Campus.

Derby Farm Park, a new development that would be located at 131st and Derby Road. The park would feature a 4,000-square-foot splash pad, multi-sport fields and courts, a walking and fitness path, a new playground with accessible features, a picnic shelter, restrooms, concessions and parking.

The question approved by the board is:

“Shall the Lemont Park District, Cook, DuPage and Will Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain (i) the Centennial Community Center, including replacing mechanical systems, increasing accessibility with Americans with Disabilities Act compliance measures and expanding multipurpose rooms; (ii) the CORE Fitness & Aquatic Complex, including updating and reconfiguring fitness spaces; (iii) the Derby Farm Park, including constructing a walking path, multi-sport fields, playground, restrooms and splash pad and (iv) the Centennial Campus, including constructing and renovating tennis and pickleball courts and issue its bonds to the amount of $17,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”

Bond proceeds would be used to make these improvements, according to the park district. By waiting to issue new bonds until after the old bonds are paid off, the park district could use the new bonds for improvements without increase the park district's debt service.

The existing bonds from 2007 are set to mature in 2025.