Controversy clouds Ackerman facility even as use climbs
Jim Zaura of Glen Ellyn works out in the fitness center at the Ackerman Park facility on Friday, March 19.
Contributing authors: Nick Vogel
Despite controversy about costs swelling millions of dollars over budget, Glen Ellyn Park District officials insist the Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center is on the right track.
“It’s been great,” facility manager Dan Kroger said. “The response from our members has been fabulous.”
Just two months after opening, the facility already has surpassed its original expectation of 800 members, with a current membership of 1,300, Kroger said.
“So, we’re already doing really well,” he said.
Even so, the project has been clouded by controversy in recent months. Taxpayers originally were told the Ackerman facility would cost $7.4 million. In December, it was revealed the anticipated cost of the project had grown to $11.2 million.
Laurie Woods, Park District superintendent of finance and personnel, said the cost of the facility is not expected to increase from the most recent projection of $11.2 million, but there are small amounts that still need to be included in the estimate.
“We’re not anticipating a large increase,” Woods said.
However, at last week’s Park District Board meeting, Commissioner Melissa Creech raised concerns that the project costs have gone up significantly again, this time to $11.5 million, based on one set of numbers she was provided. Park district officials said they would revisit the numbers and report back at future meetings. The board will next meet Tuesday, April 6.
“I’ve been asking for the total cost of this building for months and every time I ask it changes,” Creech said at the March 16 meeting.
Creech has accused the district’s Executive Director Cory Atwell of mismanagement and of withholding information about the cost of the project. At a Dec. 15 board meeting, Creech motioned to give an independent consulting firm the authority to review all contracts pertaining to the project and a complete audit of all money that has been spent on the project. The motion failed 4 to 3.
Kroger said most of the center’s revenue will come from memberships, payment for renting areas of the facility, park district leagues and other programs.
As of Feb. 28, Ackerman had generated $174,988.53 in revenue, according to Woods.
“I think we’re really pleased with the numbers that we have here,” Woods said.
This article originally appeared in Glen Ellyn News.
