Park Perspectives: Park Maintenance Facility

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Carol Spain, President of the Glencoe Park District, and Kyle Kuhs, Director of Parks and Planning, discuss the challenges with the current maintenance facility buildings, which range from 30 to 90 years old. They highlight the need for a new facility to address logistical and safety concerns while offering opportunities for improved efficiency and sustainability, including potential electrification and solar energy initiatives.

An Aging Challenge
Standing outside the current maintenance facility, Carol Spain drew attention to its visibly antiquated state. "This is a very old building," she remarked, prompting Kyle Kuhs to delve into the specific challenges faced due to its age. "Our parks maintenance facility comprises a mishmash of buildings ranging from 30 to 90 years old, added at different times throughout our operations." This collection of five structures creates numerous logistical hurdles and safety concerns for the District's operations, from dirt floors to the absence of climate control and fire protection.

A New Facility
With an upcoming referendum on the horizon, Carol Spain queried about the opportunities a new parks maintenance facility could bring. Kyle explained that aside from conforming to modern building codes, the updated site would allow for climate-controlled storage of equipment and materials, greatly streamlining current operations. "It should speed up processes and keep things more streamlined," he said.

A Sustainable Future
Environmental sustainability is also a core priority for the Glencoe Park District. Carol noted the board's interest in green initiatives, prompting Kyle to outline plans for the new facility's role in sustainability efforts. The current configuration, he noted, makes a transition to electric vehicles impractical. However, renovating offers the chance to include infrastructure for electrification. Furthermore, Kyle highlighted a potential first for the District: installing solar panels to help offset energy costs.

Looking Forward
This proposed new park maintenance facility is part of a broader commitment by the Glencoe Park District to advance its facilities without burdening taxpayers with a rate increase. To address critical capital facility needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility, the District has placed a bond referendum that will be decided in the upcoming election. Community members interested in learning more about the details and implications of the referendum are encouraged to click here for additional information.