Park Board Mulls Cost Reduction Options for Kelly Park Improvements

The Wheaton Park District is considering fewer restrooms as a way to pare costs in the renovation project.

Bidders recently quoted the project at $947,217—around 26 percent over the projected cost of $754,000—which sent staff and park commissioners back to the drawing board last month.

Commissioners Phil Luetkehans and John Kelly Wednesday presented their recommendation to remove restrooms from both the east and west shelters included in the original renovation plans for the 16.43-acre park at 1100 North Main Street. The recommendation, Luetkehans said, would reduce the project estimate to $724,000.

He explained that an alternative restroom site is at , which is adjacent to the park. “We’re in the process of reaching an agreement to keep those open,” he said.

The revision will also open the park's compensatory storage space and reduce the need for grading and storm water improvements.

Board President Ray Morrill said he would hope that as the park district moves forward that staff would have “some kind of understanding or agreement from the school district that we actually can use those,” before making a decision.

Plans for the park will include an indoor "shelter" restroom area, a water feature, multi-sport courts, a half court basketball area—which would be used as a skating rink in the winter, and bike parking. 

The park district began planning the project after receiving a $754,000 state grant from the Open Space Lands Acquisition Development (OSLAD) Grant Program in 2010. The grant program provides for a 50 percent reimbursement for the park district’s work and after initial reductions to the project’s scope, the grant amount was reduced to $714,500.

Luetkehans said he and Kelly—the subcommittee working with staff on Kelly Park—will make their official recommendation to the board next month as well as a recommendation to reject “most” bids. According to the subcommittee report, the revisions to the plans and to the permit issued by DuPage County will take about two months, allowing for a re-bidding process to start in early 2012.

The board’s next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16 at , 303 Wesley Street, Wheaton.