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Capital Improvement Projects are used by the DeKalb Park District to plan and fund long-range development and re-development projects. Here are some recently completed projects and potentional projects on the horizon!
Outdoor Pool Facility Renovation Project
Looking for Hopkins Pool information? Visit the Hopkins Pool page! Please note that Hopkins Pool will be CLOSED for the summer of 2025 due to renovation construction.
Update - April 10, 2026
The pool concrete work has progressed. The lap pool walls and zero-depth gutter foundation have been poured, and reinforcing at the zero-depth pool has been installed. Interior finishes continue to move forward. Epoxy flooring is being installed in the Locker Rooms, Admissions and Concessions Buildings, while floor and wall tile in the new Toilet Rooms serving the Lobby and Terrace Room have been completed. The former restrooms are being converted to create the new Janitor’s Closet, and plaster wall finish is being installed throughout the Lobby.
In the coming weeks, interior finishes and fixture installations will continue to progress in the new buildings, locker rooms, and lobby. The plunge pool wall pour, zero-depth pool floor pour, mechanical room filtration installation, as well as the slide and spray pad balance tank excavation, will take place. Aquatics piping around lap and plunge pool areas, and yard hydrant water piping will commence.
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Outdoor Pool Facility Renovation Plan
The Renovation Plan consists of the following elements:
- New zero-depth entry leisure pool with six 25-yard lap lanes
- New spray ground
- New water slides
- New outdoor entrance to the pool
- New concessions building and seating areas
- New lifeguard office & first aid building
- New infrastructure, including equipment, piping, electrical, sanitation, water mains, and mechanical buildings
- New furniture and fixtures
- Renovation of existing locker rooms
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Outdoor Pool going to re-open?
The District anticipates opening the Pool in Summer of 2026.
Can I still use Hopkins Park (playground, park, courts, etc.)?
Yes! All other amenities at Hopkins Park will still be available. However, the north parking lot will be closed for construction staging through the duration of the project, which means we will not open the seasonal Ice Rink during winter 2025/2026.
Are there water slides in the current project?
Four water slides are included in the final site plan. Two slides will empty into a body of water, and two slides will be zero-depth plunge slides.
Will there be a separate kiddie pool in this project?
The new facility will have a separate splash pad area instead of a traditional kiddie pool. This area will have shade and seating for parents and families and will be separated from the main pool deck by fencing.
Will the new pool be ADA-accessible?
Yes. The new pool will feature both zero-depth entry as well as permanent stair entrances and handrails in the locker room showers and restroom areas.
Will the locker rooms be renovated in this project?
Yes. The Locker Rooms will undergo a complete and comprehensive remodel in this project. They will include a male locker room, a female locker room, and a small family locker room. The locker rooms will be in the same footprint as the current ones.
Will there be a diving well?
No. Due to budget constraints, a new diving well is not included in the scope of this project. Projected cost estimates, provided by construction consultants, for a new diving well started at $2 million.
Is there a reduced capacity for the current plan?
The bather load/capacity for the new facility is anticipated to be 1,000.
Where will the pool be located?
The pool facility will remain in the same location as the old facility.
Was community input considered regarding the options of for the Outdoor Pool?
In August 2020, the DeKalb Park District commissioned Larson & Darby Group with Counsilman-Hunsaker to conduct a pool feasibility study, evaluating the existing conditions of the aging aquatic facility and developed a renovation/replacement plan. Included in their planning process was obtaining and gathering community feedback via both surveys and public meetings while gauging the community's aquatic needs and wants. The results of this study were presented to the Park Board in December 2020. The Board of Commissioners also created a pool advisory committee consisting of Board members, District staff, and members of the public which made recommendations for the final designs. Each month, the Park Board hosts a Park Board meeting that is open to public comment.
How much will the project cost?
The total project cost is anticipated to be between $14 - $16 million.
How will the pool renovation construction be funded?
Construction will be funded with funds from the existing capital fund balance, the 2025 and 2026 budget years, and the issuance of $9.5 million in alternate bonds.
Will there be a tax rate increase to fund a pool facility renovation?
No. The alternate bond repayment will be secured by future annual bond issues, which are a part of the District’s annual tax levy.
How long is the bond issue repayment schedule?
20 years.
Will there be a price increase?
Pricing decisions have not been made at this time.
Why are we building a pool when inflation and the cost of goods are high?
The old facility reached the end of its life cycle and a choice of whether to replace or decommission the facility had to be made. The District has decided to take the steps necessary to continue to provide a seasonal swimming facility for future generations regardless of current market conditions.
I still have questions. Where should I direct them?
Please email our Superintendent of Recreation, Chrissy Tluczek, at ctluczek@dekalbparkdistrict.com
League of Women Voter's Park
While playgrounds are regularly inspected and maintained, replacing aging playground equipment is vital to ensure the safety, accessibility, and enjoyment of our parks. Typically, park districts replace playgrounds every 15-17 years, and the playground at League of Women Voters Park, located at 262 Cotton Avenue, was last updated in 2009.
In a collaborative effort with the community, Upland Design, District Board Members, and staff held a public meeting on June 25, 2024, in League of Women Voters Park. An online survey was also conducted from June 25 to July 3, allowing the community to select one of four playground options and provide crucial feedback for additional park amenities. The active participation of 19 in-person and 74 online respondents was instrumental in choosing a new playground theme and additional amenities such as a half basketball court, a new game area, fitness equipment stations, and a new rain garden and interpretive signage. The existing asphalt trail will also be renovated.
The District has been chosen to receive a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois. These funds will be utilized to revitalize the League of Women Voters Park. The overall project cost is estimated to be $742,000. Demolition and construction are tentatively scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025.
Prairie Park
The DeKalb Park District staff and Upland Design have created a Master Plan for Prairie Park that will be presented to the Board of Commissioners at the September 18 regularly scheduled board meeting. Community feedback was obtained through public meetings at Prairie Park on July 16 and August 13, and a community survey. Highlights of the Master Plan include expansion of the disc golf course, new prairie and bird loop trail, new picnic shelter, new game area, new fishing outcrop and river overlook, interpretive signage, and woodland understory restoration.
The total cost of the project is approximately $800,000. To assist with funding, the Park District intends to submit an application to the State of Illinois through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program.
