Governor Quinn Announces $7.1 Million Investments in DuPage County Parks

ADDISON - Governor Pat Quinn today announced investments totaling $7.1 million to make improvements to several parks in DuPage County. Supported by the Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the projects are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to increase recreational opportunities, create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"DuPage County communities are great places to live and work, and these park projects will provide the additional recreational opportunities they need to keep attracting new residents and businesses," Governor Quinn said. "These parks play a key role in helping to promote healthy lifestyles through recreation and it's important that we maintain them."

The Addison Park District will receive $1,812,526 to renovate the Community Park Recreation Center on East Oak Street. Improvements will be made to the climate control system, facility lighting and windows. Interior floor space will be reconfigured to provide a larger, more functional space for recreation programs and the existing gym area will also be renovated. The total estimated project cost is $3,484,000.

The Bartlett Park District will receive $975,000 to renovate the Schrade Gymnasium on Stearns Road. The project includes improvements to the gymnasium, an elevator and the renovation of multi-purpose rooms. The total estimated project cost is $1.3 million.

The Hanover Park Park District will receive $1,878,100 to construct an athletic/recreational field house on Arlington Drive. The facility will be used for indoor soccer, lacrosse and basketball as well as summer camps. The total estimated project cost is $2,504,240.

The Roselle Park District will receive $2,477,200 to demolish the existing Turner Park Field House on Roselle Road and construct a new 8,855-square-foot recreation center. The project also includes site improvements and a new outdoor pavilion. The total estimated project cost is $3,303,000.

The investments announced today are part of $50 million available through the Parks and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and funded by Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program. PARC provides investments to eligible local governments for park and recreation construction projects. Eligible projects include land acquisition, development, architectural planning, construction, rehabilitation and improvements. The PARC program may provide up to 75 percent of approved project costs, with the exception of local governments defined as "disadvantaged," which will be eligible for up to 90 percent funding.

"These grants are vitally important for communities seeking to build capacity for recreational opportunity," IDNR Director Marc Miller said. "These projects, upgrades and additions will help four park districts keep up with the ever-growing demand for recreation close to where people live and work."

The park projects are part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.