In-The-Know Spring 2019

WHEELING PARK DISTRICT

IN THE

KNOW

Grand Opening of the Expanded Health and Fitness Center and New Gymnasium Get a sneak peek at our community’s new 16,000 square-foot Health and Fitness Center and second gymnasium at the grand opening celebration (Date coming soon). Everyone is invited to try out the new equipment and enjoy free group exercise classes, fitness demonstrations, Personal Trainer tips, giveaways and more.

The opening of the expanded Health and Fitness Center and new gym completes the first phase of the Community Recreation Center Renovation & Expansion Project that began construction in May of 2018 and will continue until the fall of 2019.

The new and enlarged spaces provide many benefits to guests for additional programs and activities.

Health and Fitness Center • 9,350 square-foot fitness floor divided into zones for free weights, cardiovascular machines and functional fitness • Locker rooms for use by Health and Fitness members • Expanded areas for stretching, personal training and assessment • First-floor group exercise room and a mezzanine level with two additional group exercise rooms • Studio for Pilates Reformer Training and massages by appointment Continued on Page 2

Wheeling Park District

We’re People Driven

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Health & Fitness Center, New Gym Continued from page 1

The new 16,000 square-foot comprehensive Health and Fitness Center is dedicated to supporting the long-term wellbeing of the community.

Welcoming, knowledgeable staff engage with every guest to ensure that each health and wellness journey is tailored to meet individual goals. To learn more, please visit: www.wheelinghealthfitness.center A new gymnasium also will provide high-quality benefits to residents and guests.

The new 9,350 square-foot fitness floor will have 45 cardiovascular machines, 12 selecterized units and a fully-equipped free-weight area. The new Monolift with plate storage is perfect for weight lifters. A turf-surface area (represented by the green area in the above rendering) provides superior footing when training with the sled and other functional fitness equipment.

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Second Gymnasium • Increased community open-gym time • Additional league and tournament space • Large-group programming space • Floor surface suitable for a wide range of play including basketball, futsal, volleyball and pickleball For regular updates, please go to www.wheelingparkdistrict.com

← tons of filter media removed from the pumps at the Family Aquatic Center in preparation for opening day on June 1

Next Phase of the CRC Project on Schedule The CRC Renovation and Expansion Project remains on schedule. The expanse of windows on the 42,000 square-foot addition have been installed and work on the interior is progressing. Occupancy of the new wing, which includes the Fitness Center and second gymnasium, is expected in early June.

Once the upstairs rooms, currently housing the temporary Fitness Center, are vacated, the next phase of the project can begin. The administrative offices located at the southwest corner of the building will move upstairs to make room for a new Preschool. This space will include three toddler-sized classrooms and restroom facilities along with a dedicated entrance and outdoor playground. Work is scheduled to be completed in September. This move will clear the way for more programming rooms on the northwest side of the CRC. While certain sections of the building may be closed off at various times, the CRC will remain open so programming and services can continue throughout construction. For up-to-date information on the project, visit www.wheelingparkdistrict.com.

New Preschool classrooms for the 2019-2020 school year reflect the “Learning through Play” philosophy.

2019 Park District Budget The 2019 Budget, adopted by the Wheeling Park District Board of Commissioners, serves as the Park District’s financial guide. The document reflects the Park District’s goal to be effective and efficient with resources and fiscally responsible with tax dollars. The budget complies with the provisions of the Park District Code, as well as the Budget Philosophy and Guidelines of the Board-approved Fiscal Operations and Business Policies. The total 2019 budget is $26.0 million, a decrease of 16.0% from 2018. Capital expenditure dollars committed in 2019 include the CRC Renovation and Expansion Project, along with routine replacement of equipment and mechanical systems to Revenues keep the facilities, property and operations functioning.

MISCELLANEOUS 11.6%

For all funds, total budgeted revenues (exclusive of transfers) are $20.7 million. Of the existing revenues, 41.3% come from tax sources and 58.7% from non-tax sources such as program fees, membership fees, daily admissions and rentals. The tax revenues the Park District receives are independent of any other entity (i.e., Village, County or State) and are generated by residential and business property taxes.

INTEREST 1.0%

RENTALS 4.1% BOND PROCEEDS 6.1%

RECREATION PROGRAM FEES 7.1%

TRANSFERS IN 7.9%

SALES 15.5%

FEES & ADMISSIONS 8.8%

The 2019 budget reflects the objective of efficiently executing Strategic Plan Expenditures Initiatives, which assists in maximizing the Park District’s return on CAPITAL 29.2% investment. The tax-per-capita spending on park and recreation services equates to $565 for each of the 42,800 residents the Wheeling Park District serves. The 2019 budget continues to support the District’s philosophy of TRANSFERS OUT 6.8% maintaining existing assets prior to taking on new projects. The five-year Capital Replacement and Improvement Plan (CRIP), approved by the CONTRCL 6.3% PROG EXP Board of Commissioners in 2018, provides a guide for infrastructure and 4.4% UTILITIES equipment replacements and improvements.

2.8%

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TAX RECEIPTS 38.1%

SALARIES 22.3%

SUPPLIES 8.2% OTHER 2.2% BENEFITS 6.7% DEBT SER 11.0%

← Illinois Parks & Recreation Association awards: 1st place for Brochure Series (fall and winter program & events guides) and 2nd place for Logo Design (International Festival).

Heritage Park Playground Update The early arrival of winter and harsh weather conditions forced work on the new Heritage Park playground to go into hibernation for longer than expected.

Now that spring is here, the Parks and Facilities crew is back on site in order to have the expansive play system ready for summer fun. They are currently preparing to install the 40,000 pounds of rubber that will form the base of the playground’s completely accessible safety surface. Other features include a “friendship swing”, large “global motion” spinner, long roller slide, two-rail slide and wavy climber.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, July 31, when Heritage Park Playground hosts “Unplug at the Park” from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

For more information, call 847-465-3333.

New Wheeling Park District Logo On Monday, May 27, the Wheeling Park District rolled out a new logo to represent how the District has grown along with the community since incorporating in 1960. The modern, colorful design expresses the District’s renewed commitment to providing memorable experiences in parks and recreation while retaining the reminder that at the Wheeling Park District it’s all about our guests: “We’re People Driven.”

Wheeling Park District We’re People Driven “The Wheeling Park District will continue to assess, understand and meet the park and recreation needs of our communities,” said Executive Director Jan Buchs. “Our vision is to become the provider of choice in parks and recreation within the communities that we serve.”

Find our new look in all areas of the Wheeling Park District including parks, facilities, vehicles, website, social media outlets and publications. Several versions of the logo were created to accommodate different formats and sizes. Tell us where and when you first spotted the new logo (Take a photo of yourself with the logo, too!) and send to news@wheelingparkdistrict.com. You may be the star of our next publication or social media post.

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← weddings held at Chevy Chase Country Club in 2018

Park District to Acquire Avalon Sienna Playground in 2021 In two years, under an agreement with the Village of Wheeling, the Wheeling Park District will acquire the Avalon Sienna playground. Starting on May 1, 2021, the Park District will be responsible for all maintenance and repair of the playground equipment, surfacing and structures in the playground area as well as landscaping in and around the playground. Mowing and landscaping outside the playground area will remain the responsibility of the Village of Wheeling. The area inside the red lines of the image to the right shows the approximate boundaries of the land to be acquired by the Wheeling Park District in 2021.

“We are very anxious and excited to begin redeveloping the Avalon Sienna playground in 2021,” said Executive Director Jan Buchs. “We have heard from many residents in the area and we know they, too, are looking forward to having the Park District improve and maintain the play equipment.”

Before work begins in 2021, the Park District will follow the “People-Driven” playground process to ensure that residents have an opportunity to attend a listening session with staff and offer input regarding the playground design. From that initial meeting, staff will prepare several design concepts and invite residents to offer feedback prior to building the playground. Stay tuned for 2021!

Sports Complex Dedicated to Tom Webber On Saturday, June 15, the Heritage Park Sports Complex will be dedicated to Thomas R. Webber. The community is invited to join Tom at a special ceremony beginning at 11:00 am. The Sports Complex is located at 109 Community Boulevard in Wheeling.

A Wheeling Park District Commissioner from 1989 to 2009, Tom served 16 of those 20 years as President. Tom’s vision and leadership during his tenure led to many outstanding accomplishments for the Wheeling Park District. Both the current Family Aquatic Center and Community Recreation Center were built. Construction on the FAC and adjoining 400-car parking lot began in 1992.

Under Tom’s leadership, two important referendums passed. The first, in 1992, allowed for the construction of a new Community Recreation Center across from the Family Aquatic Center. The second permitted the one-year, $4 million renovation to both the inside and outside of Chevy Chase Country Club in 1999. That same year, the CRC was enlarged to include an expanded Fitness Center and the Indoor Pool, and a Girl Scout campsite was purchased and redeveloped as Denoyer Park. In 2002, Traditions at Chevy Chase Golf Course was redesigned to feature manicured bentgrass fairways and greens and reconstructed bunkers. This resulted in Traditions winning Golf Inc. Crittenden Renovation of the Year in 2004. In addition, many parks and playgrounds were improved.

Tom also has a very special connection to the redevelopment of the Heritage Park. In 1990, the Park District was able to obtain 10 acres of land fronting Dundee Road from Wickes Companies. This eventually led to a land exchange with the Village of Wheeling and the Intergovernmental Agreement that allowed the Heritage Park plan to become a reality.

In many ways, Tom Webber’s tireless dedication and commitment to the Wheeling Park District continues to provide memorable experiences in parks and recreation that enrich our communities.

Congratulations, Tom Webber!

Park Commissioners test the water at the Aquatic Center dedication on June 24, 1993. Tom Webber is on the far left.

Family Aquatic Center Mascot Willie the Whale waits for the big bucket to tip as the Park Commissioners celebrate the new water features. Tom Webber is pictured to the right of Willie.

Wheeling Park District 100 Community Boulevard Wheeling, IL 60090 www.wheelingparkdistrict.com

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP “Fostering an environmentally-conscious staff and community” LAKE HERITAGE - Stormwater Management + Ecological Restoration For many years, the lake at Heritage Park was strictly a stormwater detention facility for the Village of Wheeling. The shallow depth and lack of accessible pathways limited the possibility for recreational opportunities. Without proper grading and native plantings to stabilize the lake edge, erosion occurred.

All of that changed with the renovation of Heritage Park in 2012.

Naturalized landscaping added around Lake Heritage proved to be a major success in the Park District’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

With a planting strategy that includes submerged and partially submerged plants at the water’s edge backed up by native prairie grasses, the lake has become an outstanding recreational feature of Heritage Park. With the help of the Park District’s team of environmental consultants, the established plantings have become a colorful habitat for a variety of wildlife that include insects, amphibians and birds. A continuous pathway loops the lake with features such as lake overlooks and council rings that allow for beautiful views and quiet contemplation.

Currently, the Park District is working with an aquatic consultant to ensure that the water quality of the lake remains optimal and that algae outbreaks and aquatic weeds are addressed consistently. Effectively managing this model of ecological restoration will lead to more recreational opportunities in the future.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Craft Beer & Wine Festival Family Zumba Party Classic Car Show & Touch-a-Truck

6/22 7/20 7/27

National Night Out International Festival

8/6 8/18

For more information, visit www.wheelingparkdistrict.com.