The Lisle Park District seeks to construct a new indoor, multigenerational Community Activity Center, replacing the existing Community Center building, located at 1825 Short Street in Lisle, just north of Sea Lion Aquatic Park. The new facility would complement the offerings at the current Recreation Center at 1925 Ohio Street, which would remain in operation.

The proposed two-story, 47,753 sq. ft. facility would support accessible, year-round recreation opportunities for children, teens, adults, and seniors, including:Elevated walking/jogging trackStretching and warm-up zone adjacent to the trackGymnasium with two full-size courts for instructional programs, leagues, and open recreationMulti-Activity Court (MAC) for athletics, fitness, and community useFitness area with cardio and strength training equipmentGroup exercise/dance studioMen's locker room, women's locker room, and family changing roomMain lobby and welcome area

The new facility could support a range of programs, activities, and amenities, such as:Fitness & Wellness:Cardio and strength trainingGroup fitness and dance classesWellness and healthy living programsCommunity UseA variety of open gym times for all agesCommunity events and gatheringsFacility rentalsFamily-oriented programsYouth & Early Childhood ProgramsYouth sports (basketball, flag football, volleyball, soccer)Camps and skill-building clinicsDrop-in recreation and open gym timeEarly childhood movement programsAfter-school recreation and enrichmentEducational and specialty programsTeen ProgramsDedicated open gym timesFitness membershipsSpecial eventsSocial, educational, and recreational programsAdult & Senior ProgramsSports leagues and drop-in play (pickleball, basketball, soccer, volleyball)Low-impact fitness and movement activitiesIndoor walking and jogging opportunitiesSocial, educational, and wellness programsOpen gym times

The entire process has been and will continue to be driven by resident feedback. The following planning and outreach efforts helped define the current proposal under consideration:2023 Strategic Master Plan: Identified indoor, multigenerational recreation as an area for further review based on community input and long-range planning goals2024 Facility Assessments: Reviewed the condition and use of existing Park District facilities to help inform future planning discussions2025 Indoor Recreation Space Feasibility Study: Gathered resident feedback related to indoor recreation use and preferences, including fitness, court sports, walk/jog space, and flexible programming areas2026 Citizen Task Force: A group of community stakeholders reviewed needs, early concepts, and funding options and provided feedback to help inform communication and outreach efforts.2026 Community Opinion Survey: A public opinion survey was mailed to the households of all Lisle Park District resident registered voters to provide input on the proposed new indoor, multigenerational Community Activity Center and the bond referendum that will appear on the November 3, 2026.

Indoor aquatics were evaluated during the feasibility study but were intentionally excluded from the proposed concept. Indoor pools have very high construction, operating, and lifecycle costs. For example, current market conditions reveal indoor aquatics construction costs are approximately $1,000/sq. ft., minimum, not including support amenities like locker/changing rooms. A conservative size that could adequately address community requests would be 10,000 sq. ft., which translates to an additional $10 million in construction costs. Featuring aquatics in the facility would also require ongoing funding beyond what a bond referendum could cover. The Park District has not explored this opportunity further because of these costs. The feasibility study identified flexible indoor recreation space as a higher priority, as it can serve more residents, more frequently, and at a lower ongoing cost, which helps preserve affordability.

Yes. The proposed Community Activity Center would offer a range of membership options designed to meet the needs of individuals, families, and users of all ages. These options and rates would be similar to those offered at other neighboring districts. No final membership rates have been set at this time, and affordability – especially for families and multi-generational households – remains an important consideration. We intend to have reasonably priced fitness memberships (with open gym included), as well as separate memberships for open gym-only usage.

The proposed Community Activity Center includes two IHSA-certified hardwood courts and a multi-activity court (MAC) gymnasium designed for flexible use, similar in function to a smaller fieldhouse. Turf fields typically require more specialized use, which can limit flexibility. Instead, the proposed concept prioritizes multi-use indoor spaces that can adapt to many activities and age groups. This approach emphasizes right-sized, flexible spaces that can support many users and programs throughout the day while helping keep construction and operating costs affordable.

Yes. Netted batting cages could be set up at certain times for baseball and softball training, such as hitting and pitching. This approach supports seasonal needs without dedicating permanent space, helping balance flexibility, access, and cost.

A bond referendum is a ballot question asking voters if they would authorize the District to borrow funds to address capital facility improvements. Bond funds may only be used for capital projects, and cannot be used for operating costs, staffing, or programs.

The estimated annual tax impact of the proposed 25-year, $29.75 million bond referendum would be approximately $146 for a home with a fair market value of $407,000, the current median home value in Lisle.

Yes. The Park District anticipates the ability to allocate up to $5 million from its fund balance to support the proposed Community Activity Center.

The Board of Park Commissioners voted in August 2026 to place the referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Voters approved a $7.6 million referendum more than 24 years ago to fund construction of Sea Lion Aquatic Park.