The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District agreed Tuesday, May 16, to a $21,500 contract with Wight Co. for conceptual designs on improvements at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club. The work is in preparation for the park district’s application for a Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) grant.
The board can receive the grant that would cover up to 75% of the cost of work. The maximum grant is $2.5 million. The park district won’t know how much it will request until after it receives a report from Wight.
There is open space at the facility because of the relocation of Conroy Orthopedics & Sports Physical Therapy to the front of the building. The park board would like to do something with that open space. It may also propose remodeling of other spaces.
Debbie Kopas, executive director of the parks, said the application deadline is June 15, but it could take months before the park board learns whether its proposals have been selected. In the past, the park district has had a year or more to complete grant-funded improvements once the award is made.
The park board invited the community to a meeting Wednesday, May 17, to offer suggestions on what might go into the space. Social media posts suggested a space for young children to accommodate parents who would use the club, or a space for teens.
In other business, newly elected parks commissioner Angie Coderre and re-elected commissioner Brent Bachus took their oaths of office. In a vote to reorganize, Bachus was elected board president and Linda Ojode was elected vice president.
The board adopted its 2023-24 budget of $14,255,893. With the approval, budget documents will be filed with Cook County, said Karen Garrity, superintendent of finance and administration.