St. Charles Park District buys sports complex to enhance indoor recreation
St. Charles Park District has acquired a sports complex that officials believe fulfills a need for indoor programming and athletic training space.
Turf fields, spectator seating, multipurpose rooms and a sports performance center are among the features of the 62,500-square-foot Sportsplex at 1400 Foundry St. The facility has been privately owned and operated since it was built in 2001.
Community survey results have indicated the district lacks indoor recreational opportunities, Laura Rudow, superintendent of parks and planning, said. Officials purchased the Sportsplex site this week for about $3.2 million in hopes of addressing that issue.
"It met a lot of our needs for additional indoor space," Rudow said. "It's a wonderful addition to the district and it will certainly allow us to expand our programming ability."
Birthday parties, athletic and fitness classes, "No School Day" activities and programs for the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association are expected to be housed in Sportsplex, Rudow said. The two indoor turf fields - a first for the park district - will be used for soccer, lacrosse and other sports and training programs.
The facility also gives the district more flexibility in inclement weather, she said.
Community groups and athletic organizations will be able to rent space in the Sportsplex, Rudow said. The park district is working with Lil' Kickers Fox Valley and the Sports Performance Academy to continue offering their services at the facility.
Sportsplex is expected to undergo renovations through the summer and be fully operational by fall, Rudow said. In addition to aesthetic upgrades to give the building a "fresh look," she said, improvements will be made to the facility's heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, parking and ADA accessibility. Multipurpose rooms will be upgraded, and a curtain dividing system will be installed to allow multiple groups to use the turf fields at a time.
The park district will solicit bids for the project once officials finalize the renovation plan, Rudow said.