Village Agrees to Split Expense of Lake Bluff Playground Improvements

Even though the village has a massive cost looming for proposed sewer repairs, it has agreed to split a $525,000 bill on playground improvements for with the school district.

The Village Board recently announced in anticipation of a $71.5 million project aimed at addressing sewer issues, but said it can’t ignore the improvements needed at the school, because it serves as a community park.

The village will contribute $225,000, approved by the board Feb. 22, to the project, contingent on the  coming through with its portion, $300,000.

"We have had quite a extensive discussion on this," Trustee Michael Maher said. "We can't just give up totally on parks and other community infrastructure needs."

Dan Ford, Parks Commision chairman, said the project has been a major long-term project for the commission and he's glad to see it move forward.

The $525,000 improvements were the on the top of Parks Commission priority list and include two softball fields for the girls’ high school team and youth soccer. The fields will also have a drainage system that allows them to be used shortly after heavy rains. The funds, however, will not cover maintenance of the fields.

Originally, the school district was asking for a committment of $900,000 for a $1.23 million project that also included improvements at Atwater Elementary. The project was downsized by the village to stay within the village’s capital budget. The original proposal also included an addition of tennis courts and a community building.

The school district has $300,000 set aside from its last referendum.