Palos Heights is moving ahead with plans for an extensive renovation of its recreation center, though a recently approved land purchase that could allow for future expansion of the building may have hit a snag, city officials said.
The City Council this week chose Gilbane Building Co., based in Providence, Rhode Island, to be the construction manager at a cost of $475,000.
The next step, parks and recreation director Mike Leonard said, is a meeting of city and Gilbane representatives and the architect to kick off the project and begin discussing the budget and timeline.
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Palos Heights aims to start construction in the fall and have the renovated recreation center, 6601 W. 127th St., open by fall 2016, Leonard said.
“It would be exciting if we could accomplish that,” he said. “We’re looking forward to getting started.”
In a Nov. 4 referendum, Palos Heights voters strongly endorsed borrowing $6.3 million for the project. Supporters said the current rec center — built as a school during the 1950s — was starting to show its age.
In 2004, 72 percent of residents rejected a referendum proposal for a new, $16.6 million rec center, but, more than 60 percent voted for the more modest renovation and expansion in November.
Plans call for a new gymnasium, indoor walking and jogging track and wellness center with fitness equipment, while the existing building would be turned into a large multipurpose room, teen center, preschool area and community rooms, Leonard said.
But a surprise land purchase that could have added to the recreation center’s grounds may have hit a stumbling block.
Mayor Robert Strasz said he spotted a “for sale” sign on a small farmstead east of the center on his way to work and didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to add land around the building.
Aldermen voted to buy the property for $237,000 at a Feb. 17 meeting, but the family that owns it is reconsidering whether to sell, Strasz said.
“If we didn’t (buy) it, five years from now we’d be kicking ourselves,” he said. “It’s on their side now, and it’s not critical to our plans. We’ll be going forward either way.”
The landowners could not immediately be reached for comment.
If the sale goes through, it would not change Palos Heights’ plans for the renovation and addition, Strasz said. He said the property could be used for water retention, extra parking or kept as green space, giving the city the option of expansion in the future.
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