Wednesday, October 31, 2007
By Steve Stein of the Journal Star

 

MORTON - The park district wants to build a new outdoor swimming pool. To pay for it, residents will be asked Feb. 5 to approve a $4 million bond referendum.

Director of Parks and Recreation Gary Watson announced the referendum Tuesday during the annual Morton Joint Boards Meeting at Freedom Hall.

 

The current Morton pool, built by the village in Idlewood Park, opened in 1963. The pool was turned over to the park district when the district was established in 1967.

 

The new pool would be built next to the site of the current pool. If financing is in place, construction would begin in late 2008 or early 2009.

 

Grants and private donations will be sought to offset at least $1 million of the $4 million cost and lessen the burden on taxpayers.

 

“We’ll be knocking on doors,” promised Watson, who noted he’ll be meeting with Caterpillar Inc. officials next week.

 

A vigorous information campaign about the referendum will be launched after the holidays. In the meantime, residents can contact the park district at 263-7429 or mortonpd@mtco.com with comments and questions.

 

This is the first bond referendum sought by the park district, which encompasses 65 square miles. Residents pay 25 cents per $100 assessed valuation to the district.

 

If the referendum passes, the park district tax rate would increase to about 30 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

 

An owner of a $150,000 home would pay about another $25 per year for as many as 20 years. For the owner of a $250,000 home, it would be about another $42 a year.

 

Landowners with an 80-acre plot in Elm Grove, Groveland, Morton and Tremont townships would see their annual tax bill increase from $11.02 in Tremont to $13.05 in Morton.

 

“We think a 5-cent increase in our tax rate is reasonable,” Watson said. “Of course, the voters will let us know in February, and we’ll proceed accordingly.”

 

Morton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Badgerow said during his presentation Tuesday that the chamber board has endorsed the referendum.

 

“We think it’s well timed, well thought out and well priced,” he said.

 

More than 15,000 swimmers participated in public swims at the Morton pool this summer. There also were about 1,000 swim lesson participants and guests at rental parties. Morton’s summer swim team has about 150 members.

 

The 44-year-old pool has never had a major renovation.

 

Its filtration system is original. Because of high costs to renovate the pool and bring it up the code, the Park Board opted to pursue building a new pool.

 

The new “Family Aquatic Center” would have the same features as the current pool but with the addition of two swim lanes, two medium-sized tube slides, a playground-style wading pool, shade structures and a modern bathhouse that includes a family changing room.

 

Besides Watson and Badgerow, representatives from the Morton Library District, Morton School District 709, Morton Township, Morton Community Foundation, Morton in Motion and the village reviewed past accomplishments and talked about future plans at Tuesday’s meeting.

 

Steve Stein can be reached at 686-3114 or news@pjstar.com.