The Honorable Bruce Rauner Governor of Illinois 207 State House Springfield, Il 62706
Re: Roselle Park District- IDNR PARC Grant #14-760
Dear Governor Rauner,
It is with great disappointment that I find myself writing you this letter regarding your decision to suspend the PARC Grant which the Roselle Park District received. This grant process was a journey for our District and truly afforded Roselle an opportunity for growth. The community was excited about our new facility and all the amenities it was going to offer residents and businesses. Neighboring governmental agencies also felt that the new facility was worthwhile and supported the scope of the project. It was to be a place where healthy lifestyle choices would have been pursued, performing arts perfected, seniors serviced and memories created. This particular grant was entered into knowing it was going to be a competitive process where all potential grantee’s projects were judged fairly and on the projects respective merits.
The District has spent roughly $110K on this process which was only spent due to the faith the District had through this grant process and those who participated in it. As you are aware, we are not a large District and have extremely limited resources compared to some of our sister agencies. The District has worked exceedingly hard over the past several years to make sure that we not only could sustain the building once it was built, but to contribute the required amount per the specification of the grant.
With construction season upon us, this decision could not come at a worse time. The suspension not only threatens jobs that are helping to grow Illinois’ economy but it now creates exposure to local taxpayers for existing contractual obligations and project costs. Economic indicators in construction markets (even in Illinois) are suggesting that the delaying of the project could cost an additional 3%-5% to start construction sometime next year.
While I certainly appreciate the challenges faced by our State, investments made through programs like OSLAD, PARC and Public Museum Grants help us improve our communities. It is short-sighted to suspend or sacrifice successful programs that make economic sense and produce positive, long-term results for the State, particularly when these programs will help mitigate some of the State's budget problems in the long-run. These kinds of grants create jobs, help grow the economy, require a local match and do not require ongoing contributions from the State.
In conclusion, this grant would have not only allowed our District to better serve the needs of Roselle, it would have enhanced our local economy and had a positive impact on our business community. The $2,477,000 PARC Grant was awarded to the District for construction at Turner Park, but the District would have spent an estimated $4,000,000 total which means it would have contributed roughly $1,500,000 in order to make it a truly impactful project for years to come. Without this grant, the project will not proceed as promoted to the community, will have cost the taxpayers in excess of $100,000 and will have left us with nothing but paper plans to show for it.
It is my sincere hope that the grant is only “suspended” and that the District will be able to realize the vision it and the community shared of a new gateway to Roselle.
Sincerely,
Robert Ward Executive Director
Enclosures: Turner Park Conceptual Drawings, Letters of Support and Executed Grant Agreement
CC: Tim Nudging, Senator Tom Cullerton, Senator Dan Kotowski, Representative Michelle Mussman, Representative Christine Winger, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth
February 14, 2014
350 Lakeside Drive Roselle, IL 60172
Mr. Marc Miller, Director Illinois Department of Natural Resources One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 72702-1271
Project: Turner Park Recreation Center Turner Park Roselle, IL 60172
Dear Mr. Miller:
I am writing to support the Roselle Park District’s request for PARC grant funding for the much-needed re-development of the Turner Park Field House. This project will demolish the 60 year old vacant building and construct a new energy efficient 8700 sq. ft. flexible, recreation facility.
Turner Park is essentially the Village of Roselle’s the front door from the Elgin O’Hare Expressway. And it is a 14.6 acre “gateway park” for our community.
Presently, the park and grounds are home for many outdoor active recreational activities. In the summer residents of all ages are enjoying this park. Whether it’s the playground and splash pad, fishing on the pier, or a casual walk around the pond while a soccer or baseball game is taking place; this park is arguably the Districts most utilized park. Although, increased use is visible in the summer the park also hosts a variety of winter activities such as cross country skiing, ice skating, and hockey.
The proposed facility will become a year round indoor recreation venue that will enrich current programming and allow new recreational opportunities’ for the community. Some of the highlighted programming in the new planned facility will include; fitness (Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates), youth activities (environmental classes, camp activities, and teen programs), senior wellness activities, and cultural arts (piano, dance, senior seminars, and book club). The new building will also improve many of the current programs that take place at Turner Park. Whether it’s to offer a warming house for ice/hockey skaters or a place for summer camp participant’s to take a break and have lunch from the sprinkler park it will enhance many of the recreational experiences now offered. Lastly, this building would bring into compliance the entire park by providing an indoor space for all to recreate at Turner Park.
I’m a 17-year resident in Roselle and my subdivision of 101 homes backs up to Turner Park. The current building is vacant and non-functional (it is not ADA accessible, etc.) in what is otherwise a well-used park. This new field house will positively impact all the members of our Roselle community.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Barbara Rendall Hochstadt
Michelle Mussman STATE REPRESENTATIVE 56th District Illinois House of Representatives 15 Weathersfield Way Schaumburg, IL 60193
February 18, 2014
Mr. Marc Miller, Director Illinois Department of Natural Resources One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 72702-1271
Project: Turner Park Recreation Center Turner Park Roselle, IL 60173
Dear Mr. Miller:
I am writing to support the Roselle Park District’s request for PARC grant funding for the much needed redevelopment of the Turner Park Recreation Center. Turner Park is a 14.6 acre park which serves as Roselle’s primary “Gateway Park” from the Elgin O’ Hare Expressway and sits on Roselle Road, a main thoroughfare for residents. The current building is non-functional in size and does not meet ADA requirements. This project will demolish the 60 year old vacant building and construct a new energy efficient 8700 sq. ft. flexible, recreation facility.
Presently, the park and grounds are home for many outdoor active recreational activities. During the summer months, residents of all ages enjoy this park. Whether it is the playground and splash pad, fishing on the pier, or a casual walk around the pond while a soccer or baseball game is taking place, Turner Park is arguably the area’s most utilized park. Although increased use is visible in the summer months, the park also hosts a variety of winter activities such as cross country skiing, ice skating, and hockey. It is apparent through the wide variety of offerings that this beautiful park is being frequented daily throughout the year.
The proposed facility will become a year round indoor recreation venue that will enrich current programming and allow new recreational opportunities for the community. Some of the highlighted programming in the new planned facility will include: fitness (Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates), youth activities (environmental classes, camp activities, and teen programs), senior wellness activities, and cultural arts (piano, dance, senior seminars, and book club). The new building will also improve many of the current programs that take place at Turner Park. Whether it is offering a warming house for ice or hockey skaters or a place for summer camp participants to take a break and have lunch from the sprinkler park, it will enhance many of the recreational experiences now offered. Lastly, this building would bring into compliance the entire park by providing an indoor space for all to recreate at Turner Park.
If PARC grant dollars are awarded, the Roselle Park District will be able to offer these much needed recreational improvements at Turner Park for community members of all ages and recreational interests to enjoy.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Michelle Mussman State Representative, 56th District
Western DuPage Special Recreation Association Sandra J. Gbur Executive Director
February 18, 2014
116 N. Schmale Rd. Mr. Marc Miller, Director Illinois Department of Natural Resources Carol Stream One Natural Resources Way
Illinois 60188 Springfield, IL 72702-1271
Project: Turner Park Recreation Center 630.681.0962 phone Turner Park, Roselle, IL 60173
630.681.1262 fax Dear Mr. Miller: www.wdsra.com Please accept this letter in support of the Roselle Park District’s request for PARC grant funding for the much needed redevelopment of the Turner Park Recreation Center. Turner Park is a
14.6 acre park which serves as Roselle’s primary “Gateway Park” from the Elgin O’Hare Serving: Expressway and sits on Roselle Road which is a main thoroughfare for residents. The current building is 60 years old and non-functional. It does not meet ADA requirements and is Bloomingdale therefore not usable by Roselle’s home Special Recreation Association; Western DuPage
Carol Stream Special Recreation Association. This project seeks to demolish the building and construct a new energy efficient 8,700 sq. ft. recreation facility that could be used by all. Glen Ellyn
Naperville Presently, the park and grounds are home for many outdoor active recreation activities. In the summer when I drive by there are participants of all ages enjoying this park. Whether it’s the Roselle playground and splash pad, fishing on the pier, or a casual walk around the pond while a soccer or baseball game is taking place; this park is the District’s most utilized space. Although, Warrenville increased use is visible in the summer the park also hosts a variety of winter activities such as West Chicago cross country skiing, ice skating, and hockey. It is apparent through the wide variety of offerings that this location is the perfect area to improve. Wheaton
Winfield The proposed facility will become a year round indoor recreation venue that will enrich current programming and allow use by WDSRA. With the new facility there are plans for Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates, youth activities such as environmental classes, camp activities, and teen programs. WDSRA would benefit most by being able to offer cultural arts programs in this northern part of Roselle decreasing travel time for some of our special needs families who currently have to travel south for these programs.
If PARC grant dollars are awarded, the Roselle Park District will be able to offer needed recreational programs at Turner Park for community members of all ages, and abilities. Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Sandra J. Gbur, CPRP Executive Director Two-Time National Gold Medal Award Winner and Recipient of the Illinois Distinguished Agency Award