Elmhurst College mentioned as possible site
By Dan McLeister For The Elmhurst Independent
Elmhurst College might be a partner along with the City and the Park District in a possible indoor sports center.
John Quigley, an alumnus of the college and president and CEO of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, mentioned the possibility at a meeting of the Development, Planning and Zoning (DPZ) Committee. He noted that he was not speaking for the college, but said he was aware of discussions about what use there might be for the land owned by the college located adjacent to the railroad tracks.
Mayor Steve Morley commented that available land was a big question to consider because there was relatively little open space in Elmhurst. Morley, who does not usually attend DPZ meetings, stated that a portion of Berens Park could be another possibility.
Somewhere on the north side of the City around Walnut St. was another option, but, the mayor noted, the price for land in that area would be at a premium.
He added that a source of financing could be funds from the recently-created Tax Increment Financing (TIF) #5.
Alderman Michael Honquest (6th Ward), a member of the DPZ Committee, mentioned the possibility of redoing the Wagner Center.
Ald. Scott Levin, chairman of the DPZ Committee, said he was interested in going on with the discussion at another DPZ meeting. He wanted more information about what the Illinois Finance Authority might provide in revenue bonds.
The topic of a possible indoor sports facility has been discussed at previous DPZ meetings.
Levin said that a key question was what type of indoor sports facility would draw people to Elmhurst? What kind of facility might bring sports teams from other locations in the west suburban area? And, could it be a profitable venture which would provide a revenue source for the City? There are different types of designs and sizes of indoor sports facilities, he noted.
Michael Kopp, assistant city manager, said he visited two other suburban indoor sports locations to gather more information: a Bo Jackson Dome in Lockport and a sports facility in Woodridge. He said that the City may want to consider a joint venture with the Elmhurst Park District.
