Park District Considers $135M Bond Referendum Question For Upgrades

NAPERVILLE, IL — The Naperville Park District is mulling a $135 million bond referendum question that would fund a new activity center with indoor aquatics at Frontier Sports Complex, six lighted pickleball courts at Country Lakes Park and other upgrades to park district facilities. If approved, the referendum question would appear on the ballot for the primary elections in March of 2026.

In a video on the Naperville Park District website, Executive Director Brad Wilson said the last time voters approved funding for the park district was in 1966, which was when the district was established.

"The community has spoken clearly that it would like more of what the district has to offer," Wilson said. He said these priorities include more opportunities to participate in park district programs.

Wilson said the district also hopes to "ease overall capacity challenges." He mentioned that activities at Frontier Sports Complex currently had wait lists of 1,000 or more participants.

Other projects the potential bond referendum would fund include refrigerated ice rinks moved to Community Garden Plots to lengthen the skating season and two new ball fields at Wolf's Crossing Park.

Per the park district website, community surveys conducted from 2022 to 2024 indicate that there was a strong desire for more indoor activity spaces.

Community open houses are planned for the following dates:

• Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at South Maintenance Facility, 3415 Book Rd.
• Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Dr.
• Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Dr.
• Oct. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at South Maintenance Facility, 3415 Book Rd.

The park district also plans to send out a public opinion survey by mail later this year.

Residents can click the link to see how the referendum would affect their property taxes if approved.