Park Forest's beloved Aqua Center is trading cannonballs for construction cones. Village trustees have signed off on a roughly $10 million overhaul of the outdoor complex, a move aimed at fixing decades-old leaks while adding more family-friendly features. The catch: the Aqua Center will stay closed next summer, and the village now expects a phased return of services that could stretch into 2027.
At its Nov. 17 meeting, the Village Board approved both the renovation blueprint and the financing plan that goes with it. The package bundles new construction with upgrades, officials say are necessary after consultant and regulatory reviews. The plan includes borrowing about $3.5 million, a step officials estimate could nudge the tax levy up by roughly 1.25% - an impact illustrated as about $50 for a homeowner paying $10,000 in total property taxes, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.
What the renovation includes
The approved design keeps the four-lane adult lap pool on the east side, while adding a combined zero-depth and swim pool built around a new slide tower. Plans also call for a concessions deck and an upgraded filter facility. As outlined by the Village of Park Forest, the work will replace failing pool liners and overhaul mechanical rooms to tackle chronic leaks that have dogged the complex.
Neighbors weighed in
Before signing off on the makeover, the village sought public input. A resident survey drew more than 600 verified responses, with about one-third of respondents reporting they have lived in Park Forest for more than 30 years and roughly 15% identifying as recent arrivals. According to local reporting on the survey by eNews Park Forest, residents prioritized lap swimming, a water slide, shady areas and a splash pad. Most respondents said they did not support a tax increase to pay for the work.
Timeline and approvals
Architects presented a reconstruction timeline of about 10 months that, according to reporting, could start late next year. The goal is to get the adult lap pool back in service before August 2026, even if the full complex is not ready until the 2027 season. The project still needs final sign-off from the Illinois Department of Public Health before any construction can begin, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.
What happens next
Village staff now turn to the nuts-and-bolts work behind the scenes. Officials say they will finalize design documents, file permit applications, and prepare bid packages for contractors. Staff estimate that those bid packages can be ready within about 30 days once plans are approved, according to village reporting compiled by eNews Park Forest.
A public hearing on the proposed property tax levy is scheduled later this month, where the renovation financing and potential levy impact are expected to be front and center, per South Cook News.
