Wheeling, Ill., Park District Completes Planning for Aquatics Center
The Wheeling Park District has completed the planning and design phase for a new outdoor aquatic center to replace the existing Family Aquatic Center.
Originally opened in 1993, the Family Aquatic Center has served as a regional aquatic destination for over 30 years. During this time, the Family Aquatic Center welcomed more than 2.2 million visitors, averaging approximately 70,000 guests annually, and has continued to function as a regional outdoor aquatic destination and the community’s choice for aquatics, with 41% of park district residents visiting the center annually.
In 2024, the Wheeling Park District retained Counsilman-Hunsaker to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the facility and evaluate options for its future, including repair and renovation, replacement at the existing Heritage Park site or relocation. The independent assessment confirmed that the aging infrastructure would require significant reinvestment to remain operational and identified a minimum of $7.8 million in necessary repairs. This assessment also recommended further investigation, noting that additional deficiencies were likely to be identified. These additional deficiencies would increase the cost significantly, making continued maintenance and reinvestment no longer fiscally responsible. As a result, the district’s board of commissioners directed staff to proceed with planning and design for a new outdoor aquatic facility.
YMCA of the Brazos Valley Cuts Ribbon
The YMCA of the Brazos Valley officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking a new partnership with Fellowship Church that will bring youth programming and recreation facilities to the region.
The successful fundraising campaign addressed community needs for additional youth programming and recreation facilities. The YMCA of Central Texas reached the milestone through donations from community members and the work of local leaders and volunteers.
The expansion into Brazos Valley responds to discussions among College Station city officials about the need for additional indoor recreation facilities. A group of 11 Bryan-College Station area leaders called the Founders led the year-long fundraising effort, with Karl Mooney, former College Station mayor and Founders chairman, at the helm.
This summer, the YMCA of the Brazos Valley will offer 11 weeks of summer camp and other community programs including archery and holiday camps.
Fairborn, Ohio, Unveils Master Plan for New Sports Complex
The master plan for a new sports complex at Ernie Apt. Park in Fairborn was unveiled Sunday afternoon aiming to replace decades-old athletic fields and facilities.
“Primarily, it's so important to keep these programs in the city. If they ever go away, they'll never come back and because of the needs of the park itself, the physical facilities have got to be upgraded to take care of the kids for the future. So it's important that the community jump in and try to make this happen," said Marilyn McCauley, one of four co-chairs on the sports park upgrade committee.
McCauley said the presentation was about a year in the making, with a long road ahead.
“This is the first step in that process to try to upgrade that park for future kids. It's coming to the point it's not just desired, but it's required," McCauley added.
The park contains eight baseball fields and one football field, with about 350 kids participating during any given season. McCauley said the park has a drainage problem, which the master plan addresses. The plan also includes new press boxes, maintenance storage buildings, bleachers, dugouts, concessions, and parking, with a drop-off loop. Some of the fields will be also upgraded to synthetic turf while others will remain grass.
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