The Carol Stream Park District Board of Commissioners directed staff at its Aug. 10 meeting to move forward on three capital projects estimated at a combined $1.5 million, pending a final funding decision.
The projects include relocating the Fountain View Recreation Center's Dectron dehumidification unit ($1 million), expanding the McCaslin Park concession stand ($250,000) and renovating Friendship Park ($250,000).
Six of seven commissioners were present. Commissioner Powers was absent.
The district has authority to issue $1.5 million under a Bond Issue Notification Act (BINA) ordinance passed the prior year. Executive Director Sue Rini said principal and interest payments on existing debt run about $6 million per year. Commissioners asked staff to return with details on how much debt will be paid down in 2026 before making a final funding decision.
A board packet prepared for the Aug. 24 meeting confirmed $3,045,631 in principal debt will be paid off this year.
The Dectron unit controls temperature and humidity for the indoor pool and recovers heat to supplement the building's geothermal system. Director of Parks and Facilities Shane Hamilton told the board that relocating it outdoors "provides the greatest long-term operational benefit, significantly reduces down time, and reduces the impact on customers … retention."
Engineering firm Wight & Company submitted a proposal for the Dectron project at $125,000 plus up to $2,000 in reimbursable expenses.
Rini said the McCaslin concession building, originally set up as a catering kitchen, struggles with climate control and customer demand. The expansion would add service windows and improve insulation and ventilation.
Friendship Park is next on the district's playground replacement schedule. All commissioners present agreed the park needs renovation.
The board also deferred replacing the Simkus Recreation Center HVAC system and a pickleball shade structure at Armstrong Park.
Parks Foundation targets batting cages next
At the same meeting, Rini announced the Carol Stream Parks Foundation's next campaign: "Pitch-In Carol Stream," a fundraising drive for batting cages at McCaslin Sports Complex. The project is estimated at $86,000, to be funded entirely through the Foundation.
The Foundation plans to launch the campaign with a 50/50 raffle during a major tournament at McCaslin. No specific date has been announced.
The idea dates to 2022, when the Carol Stream Travel Softball Baseball Association proposed it. Fundraising fell short and the plan was tabled. Commissioner Adam Parisi revived the discussion at the Aug. 12, 2024, board meeting, noting community interest. He pushed it again in March 2025, arguing the cages would benefit adult and youth players and could generate revenue. Staff has said the cages would serve as an amenity rather than a revenue generator, since McCaslin currently lacks warm-up space.
Parks Foundation representative Patrice Bedow reported at the board's July 13 meeting that the Foundation's previous bus campaign raised $60,000 over its run. That campaign is being retired. Stuckey Construction has pledged concrete work support for the batting cage project, and Commissioner Dan Bird has pledged to donate earthwork.
The board was scheduled to take up a final funding decision on the capital projects at its Aug. 24 meeting. Minutes from that session have not yet been published.
