Fairview Heights is launching a two-part parks and recreation upgrade, including a new indoor Field House next to The Rec and a complete renovation of the 95-acre Pleasant Ridge Park. The project will add a 10-court pickleball complex, upgraded restrooms, new pavilions, and event spaces to attract visitors and provide locals with more weekend activities.
What's being built
The Field House is planned as a 13,500-square-foot multipurpose facility with space for public events and 10 courts configurable for indoor, semi-outdoor, or fully outdoor pickleball play. Located next to The Rec, the project is part of a roughly $14 million package that also includes three new restrooms, three pavilions, and an upgraded playground at Pleasant Ridge Park. The Rec complex at 9950 Bunkum Road, which anchors the city’s north side, will serve as the hub for the new courts, as reported by Yahoo.
How it's paid for
According to First Alert 4, Mayor Mark Kupsky described the project as a long-term investment, funded through a combination of city reserves and borrowed funds to be repaid via the city’s food-and-beverage tax. Kupsky noted that Fairview Heights does not impose a city property tax, relying instead on sales and hospitality revenue for major projects. Details on the levy used for bond repayments are available on the City of Fairview Heights Food and Beverage Tax page.
Timeline and grants
City officials say construction could begin in early this year, with a target completion in the fall. Pleasant Ridge Park is expected to close during the renovations so crews can replace shelters and restrooms safely. The $14 million project is currently in the bidding phase, and city staff are seeking additional funding through state programs such as PARC and OSLAD grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which can cover a significant portion of eligible park expenses.
Neighbors react
Residents near Pleasant Ridge Park say the project shows both the community and city officials are invested in the neighborhood. Scott Edwards, a nearby homeowner who trail-runs at the park, welcomed the improvements, noting that investing in outdoor spaces increases an area’s value. Another neighbor, Dawn Hofmeister, described the plan for an event and activity hub near St. Clair Square as “amazing” for the community, as per First Alert 4.
Why it matters
The expansion positions The Rec as an unofficial town center, using recreational amenities to support nearby retail and generate foot traffic that helps fund city services. Opened in 2019 at 9950 Bunkum Road, The Rec already offers aquatics, fitness, and community programming, making it a natural site for additional event space and courts. Pleasant Ridge Park, a 95-acre area of woods, trails, and pavilions, has been identified in city planning materials as needing updated restrooms and shelters. The renovation aims to modernize the facilities for a range of activities, from weddings to winter sledding, City of Fairview Heights noted.
