$2.8M Awarded To Glenview Park District From Grant: Pritzker

GLENVIEW, IL — Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday the Glenview Park District will be receiving $2.8 million in state grant funding as part of his Rebuild Illinois capital program. The money is awarded to local governments throughout the state for construction, renovation, and improvement of buildings or land purchases for public recreational opportunities.

In all, $28 million is being awarded to 13 municipalities and government agencies, according to a news release from Pritzker's office. The funding comes from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act, or PARC, grant program and is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

For the Glenview Park District specifically, the funding will go toward the following, according to Pritzker's office:

Plans are to update finishes and add new mechanical systems and other features to the aging aquatics center. Work will include removal and replacement of the pool basin finish systems, refreshed decking materials, and new paint and acoustics on walls and ceilings. The pool mechanical system will be enlarged and refreshed with a system that can service all three pools with independent temperature controls and filtration. A retractable pool ninja course will be added in the lap pool, as well as a replacement play feature in the activity pool.

"Our community deserves a great park district, and I was happy to ensure that the money is there to keep the Glenview Park District as fun and safe as it has been for so long," State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview, IL House 17th District) said. "In addition to exciting new play features for kids, we will get vital renovations to ensure that everyone continues to enjoy our parks in safety for years to come."

According to officials, the PARC grant program provides up to 90 percent of project costs to help build, renovate, and improve recreational buildings used by the public or purchase land to be used for public access and recreational purposes, with local governments matching the value of the grants awarded.

"Public recreational spaces promote wellness, all while safeguarding the environment, and I look forward to visiting these modernized facilities once they are up and running," Pritzker said.