The Orland Park Village Board plans to study upgrades at its parks, including possibly replacing dirt fields with artificial turf and constructing an athletic field house at the former Riviera Country Club.
Parks and Recreation Director Ray Piattoni said the village may also replace the underused Grinding Edge Skate Park with athletic fields.
All possibilities will be considered as part of two studies the village plans, one to consider potential changes to the outdoor fields and convert the skate park, and another to evaluate the need for a field house on the village’s east side.
Piattoni said community engagement will be paramount with residents’ perspectives sought through surveys, focus groups and other channels.
“We want to make sure that’s inclusive and transparent,” Piattoni said. “We serve the residents of Orland Park and want to make sure we engage the residents and hear from all users.”
New field and turf
As part of the outdoor fields’ study, Piattoni said the village will compare its recreation offerings to neighboring villages investing in parks, such as Tinley Park and New Lenox. Several trustees mentioned the importance of staying competitive to host tournaments as New Lenox recently opened a $70 million sports complex.
Piattoni said constructing a soccer or football field at the Grinding Edge Skate Park could help the village generate more revenue.
“It’s a terrific skate park and in its heyday it did very well,” Piattoni said. “But it’s very underutilized right now, so we’ll look at repurposing that.”
Converting dirt fields to artificial turf could allow for longer youth sports seasons, Piattoni said, as soccer fields in particular are susceptible to overuse during rainy days.
Riviera Country Club
Trustee John Lawler said he is interested in possibly adding an athletic field house, after speaking with residents who want more athletic amenities, such as a sports training facility, an indoor playground for children and a pool for seniors.
He said many of Orland Park’s facilities are difficult to access for people who live on the east side. Lawler called the site of the former Riviera Country Club on West 143rd Street a “blighted eyesore” that could be made into an athletic field house to provide better access for those residents.
Lawler said he drove from 135th Street and South 80th Avenue to the Orland Park Sportsplex on West 159th Street during rush hour one day. After a more than 20-minute commute, he said he can understand why some parents don’t use the village-owned facility.
“So I guess it would be important to look at this study to see, can the town of Orland Park … support two sportsplexes?” Lawler said. “Hopefully we can.”
Parks and Recreation Director Piattoni said depending on the results of the study, the field house could include multipurpose indoor fields and room for senior activities while serving as a “family play destination.” Local organizations have expressed interest in the field house providing dedicated spaces for tumbling, wrestling, cheer, and speed and agility training.
“While we have a lot of recreation amenities, this gives us the opportunity to introduce new amenities, which could be a museum, could be an indoor playground or could be a hybrid of both,” Piattoni said.
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Trustee Michael Milani said he opposed the village’s original plan to purchase and redevelop the former country club but, “this study gives you the opportunity to change my mind.” The village in December voted to take out $40.5 million in bonds to, in part, support the purchase.
Milani said Orland Park should maintain focus while coming up with plans for the field house.
“I feel a little bit that we’re trying to do something for everyone,” Milani said. “We’re going to have to think about what the scope is going to be.”