Wheeling is going big on summer. The village has signed off on a roughly $30 million plan to replace its aging Family Aquatic Center on Community Boulevard with a brand-new outdoor aquatic complex, with officials eyeing a spring or summer 2027 debut. The old facility came down this spring, and crews are already working on the Heritage Park footprint, where the revamped pools, splash areas and family-friendly amenities are expected to serve a wider stretch of northwest-suburban residents.
The village board approved site plans and a package of design elements in a series of four votes Monday, clearing what local reporting called a key bureaucratic hurdle, according to Fox 32 Chicago’s ChicagoLIVE. The Daily Herald also covered the votes and showcased the latest renderings.
Funding and timeline
According to the Wheeling Park District, the project is structured so it does not require a tax increase. The district plans to tap about $20 million from capital reserves, issue bonds not to exceed $12 million, use a $500,000 state grant and possibly add TIF assistance, per the district’s update. An April park district briefing lists the total project estimate at roughly $32 million and notes that any bond issue would be paid off over 10 years using revenue generated by the Aquatic Center.
Construction activity is already underway on the site. While the new complex goes up, the district has arranged for Wheeling residents to have access to Glenview Park District facilities during the 2026 season, according to the park district.
Design and amenities
Renderings released this spring show two large pools, a splash pad, multiple body slides, a bath house and party shelters tailored to families and group rentals. Park officials told the village board that drop-style slides depicted in some early concept images will not return because of state safety regulations. Executive Director Matt Wehby summed up the long game, telling the paper, “The celebration comes when there's water in the pool.”
Officials also say the main building and entrance will shift to the west side of the facility to improve parking and access.
What comes next
With the village board’s sign-off in hand, the park district’s next steps include final permitting with the Illinois Department of Public Health, followed by bidding and full-scale construction, according to the district’s website. Officials continue to stress that the plan is designed to be paid for through the project’s own revenue streams and existing reserves rather than a property-tax increase.
Residents can track progress, including updated renderings, meeting materials and the construction timeline, on the Wheeling Park District website as the village aims for a 2027 opening.
