NEW COMMISSIONERS DISCUSS SHUTTERING SARC

The September 15 Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners began with Eleanor Saliamonas, Treasurer of Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation making several comments during Public Participation. Included in her comments were seeing the Lake Ellyn Boathouse preserved since she identified it as a CCC project (it was a WPA project), concern with the Park District building what she refers to as “mini theme parks”, and her opposition to the Park Districts proposal for artificial turf at Memorial Field. Park Board President Sandra Minogue mentioned that Turf was an Agenda item, would be discussed at length later on in the meeting as well and that it was District’s 87’s plan for artificial turf at Memorial Field – not the Park Districts.

In stating her opposition to artificial turf, Ms. Saliamonas mentioned that it is being removed from fields in New York because it is found to be cancer causing. While Ms. Saliamonas was addressing the Board Eric Peterson from Glen Ellyn Life walked in, sat in the second row and proceeded to set up a camera and tripod. Board President Minogue inquired: “Before we go any further, sir? May I ask what we’re doing, what you’re doing?” Mr. Peterson proceeded to introduce himself and state: “Sounds like there’s a lot of excitement here happening and I thought I would capture it on videotape for the rest of the community”.

Mr. John Waters also addressed the Board during Public Participation to state his continued opposition to artificial turf at Memorial Field. He remarked that the Ackerman Sports Complex looks fantastic and while he understands turf will be inside, he has no health and safety concerns with it there as it will be contained and temperature controlled. He concluded that the District would have fewer complaints from the community if the Park District put turf at Ackerman Park instead of contributing to the project at Glenbard West in return for field space. Mr. Waters concluded by asking the Board to spend their money wisely and he thought they had, to date.

In reference to the proposed agreement for the temporary construction & permanent easements between the District and Glenbard Wastewater Authority regarding the reconstruction of the St. Charles Road Pumping Station Facility within Ackerman Park; Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo clarified his discussions with the Village about the specifics for removal and disposal of soil during this project. He requested the Board approve the agreement as the project was scheduled to begin in October. Commissioner Ed Hess had asked for the clarification earlier and was satisfied with the response. The Board moved to approve.

Regarding the District 87 proposal for synthetic turf at Memorial Field, Dr. Michael Meissen, Superintendent and Sally Goggins from Gain Ground were present to answer any questions. The proposal is for $20,000 a year for 8 years in exchange for use of Memorial Field on Saturdays from 3:00PM to 6:00PM and all day on Sundays during the school year, spring and fall. Memorial Field is already being used in the summer by the Park District for the Summer Camp Program. In lieu of using Capital Expenditures or tax dollars for this project, the Glen Ellyn Park District was asked by Superintendent Meissen to forgo their 15% of revenue from the co-sponsored summer camps each summer for the next 8 years.

Commissioner Julia Nephew requested clarification of the Districts role in the summer camps. Kathleen Esposito, Superintendent of Recreation explained the District’s role in the camps, the funding and marketing. Park District Executive Director Cory Atwell clarified that the concern for providing any financial assistance has always been cost to play and Director Atwell felt that this proposal was the best proposal so far between District 87 and the Park District. Commissioner Jay Kinzler requested financial clarification on the entire Turf project at District 87 and the Park District funding

In recognizing the strong emotions on both sides of the Turf issue, Commissioner Kinzler commented on the need for field space, and that the program participants who use the fields are pretty much in favor of it since turf is a lot safer than it used to be and he pointed out the injuries caused on natural fields with the hazards of holes, divots and cleat marks. Kinzler further remarked that the parents whose children use the fields support artificial turf, regardless of the arguments about Turf’s safety.

Commissioner Melissa Creech felt more information was needed on the District 87 Turf Proposal. Commissioner Creech specifically questioned the Park District partnership with D-87, access and if the agreement would spell out the hours. Creech asked if the cost was comparable to renting field space elsewhere and if the Park District should turf their own fields. She concluded that since the Summer Camp Revenue was a percentage, she had concerns with using those funds but also had concerns with using Capital Expenditures.

Commissioner Hess suggested looking at the numbers for the turf proposal differently. Hess asked the Board to consider the cost savings to the Park District by removing school programs out of the District and back to D-87 with Turf at Memorial Field. The $20,000 over 8 years may actually represent a savings to the Park District. He concluded this could be a wonderful addition for the community and Glenbard West.

Commissioner Ron Aubrey reminded the Board that they have spent a lot of time getting to this point and that there have been a lot of complaints but not a better solution. Aubrey further remarked that the proposal breaks down to $83 an hour and that is cost effective. Commissioner Hess asked for a consensus of the Board and if they should even be pursuing the turf project. Commissioners Jay Kinzler, Ron Aubrey, Ed Hess, and Board President Sandra Minogue all supported moving forward with this proposal, Commissioner Melissa Creech wants more information and Commissioner Julia Nephew was undecided.

Commissioner Kinzler previously requested a Usage Survey at the Spring Avenue Recreation Fitness Center (SARC). The results indicate that 1 person would drop their SARC membership for Ackerman Sports Complex (ASC), 47 would stay at SARC and not move to ASC and 8 were undecided. 36 would retain their membership at SARC, 8 would jointly join ASC and 12 were undecided. In spite of the User Survey Commissioner Julia Nephew stated the District should phase out the SARC Fitness Center, and that they should move the equipment over to ASC for a cost savings. Board President Minogue stated that “…she is confident that staff will monitor usage. The people who want the SARC Fitness Center are part of the Park District community. The SARC Fitness Center is what that community wants and it meets their needs. We have a group that wants it. It is important (to them). We will leave it in staff’s hands for now.”

Commissioner Nephew continued to comment that the residents want them to make wise financial decisions. Commissioner Hess found these comments interesting and reiterated the communities support for the SARC Fitness Center. He reminded the Board that not all programs are funded by the program and of the District’s commitment to providing services to the community. He concluded that “… if all programs were black and red they would close a lot of programs and that the District is there to serve the entire community …not just the most popular. We serve a great purpose for great people in a great community.”

Commissioner Creech commented in looking at value for the community they could force the SARC members to join ASC in spite of the SARC member’s location in the community.

The Board voted unanimously to approve a $222,787.60 expenditure for the new Fitness Center equipment at the Ackerman Sports Complex.

The next Workshop Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6 at 7:00 P.M. The meetings are held at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center (SARC) 185 Spring Avenue. As with all meetings, the public is invited and welcome to attend.