O’Fallon Community Park begins metamorphosis with new pool, community center yet to come
The new All-Abilities Playground is near completion, improvements on a multipurpose center are being mulled over, and the pool winds down its second-to-last season before upgrades.
The O’Fallon Community Park began its metamorphosis this summer, and the ambitious improvement plans will continue over the next several years, said Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Dallner.
The park is located at 401 E. Fifth St., along U.S. 50, and is home to the Memorial Pool, Katy Cavins Community Center, Blazer Field, and other amenities. The enhancements are to meet the needs of residents and improve quality of life, he said.
Meanwhile, after years of going without a homecoming, the O’Fallon City Fest started in 2018, paused during the coronavirus pandemic public health crisis in 2020, and returned the next year. It is set for this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25 and 26, at the Community Park, with food, fun, rides, music and
All-Abilities Playground
The inclusive ADA-accessible playground started construction in June in the park’s northwest corner, with funding contributed by community service organizations and local businesses, as well as the Build O’Fallon Trust Fund.
Dallner said a surfacing crew will complete work, and curbs will be installed around it, so it should be finished in a couple weeks.
“It’s gone really well,” he said, noting about 30 community volunteers assisted with recent tasks.
He expects a grand opening will be scheduled sometime in October.
A growing movement in recent years, an inclusive playground removes barriers for kids who haven’t been able to enjoy those outside activities because of limitations. Children of all ages and abilities will be able to play there, and the previous aging playground has been removed.
“There’s a lot to do for kids on that playground,” he said.
A Multi-Use Facility
Finance Director Sandy Evans will present a report regarding costs related to Katy Cavins Community Center renovation and for a new facility to the council’s Finance Committee on Monday, Aug. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Residents can sign up for a webinar to watch via Zoom as well.
The community center needs a complete overhaul. It is limited size-wise for events of more than 100-plus people. Immediate needs include the replacement of the accessibility ramp and the installation of a fire sprinkler system.
The parks department has evaluated conditions to determine short and long-term maintenance and identify concerns regarding life-safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, building code related items, and other potential building operation items.
Dallner said the amount of work needed for repairs is cost-prohibitive, and it may be wiser to build a new one rather than fix the current one.
Considering that a new building is estimated to cost around $5 million, they do not believe it would be cost effective to spend so much money on the 97-year-old Cavins Center.
“If we build a new one, it would be on the other side of Fifth Street,” he said.
Earlier this summer, Quadrant Design did a study and Holland Construction did a cost estimate about bringing the facility up to modern day standards:
Renovations and flooding: $2,567,919-$2,838,226.
Elevator: Additional $926,636-$1,024,177.
Cost Opinion Proposal Total: $3,494,555 - $3,862,403.
“Sandy will give the council information packets. The city will see where funding could come from. At our next parks committee meeting, we will answer final questions and see how we can move forward. It’s in the council’s hands now,” Dallner said.
The city has applied for a construction grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and would be committed to match 25% of $2.8 million, in any combination of cash and in-kind contributions if the grant is awarded.
The money would fund the building demolition and new construction, and likely be completed in 2025.
A preliminary construction report recommended a gym over a general multipurpose room for several reasons:
The gym provides much needed indoor athletic space for youth programming such as basketball and volleyball. This would also help alleviate some District 90 gym usage during the winter months.
The facility square footage would be equal to the Cavins Center so the department could maintain their current rental revenue for birthday parties, trivia nights, etc.
The added indoor athletic space would be a complement to their summer camp with indoor space that would allow campers to be inside and active during the hot summer weather.
Estimated Facility Construction Cost: $5,076,000 to $5,670,000
Parks Master Plan
Replacing the swimming pool, adding space for community gatherings, and more hiking and biking trails are goals included in the Parks Master Plan.
The city pool will be totally rebuilt and enlarged over the next two years. The current pool, built in 1959, has become inadequate and needs major work. At that time, the town’s population was about 4,000; today it is over 30,000.
The pool also has physical issues that need to be repaired. In addition, the two sets of exit stairs are not ADA compliant and need to be accessible with a ramp or handrails to be easily manageable for all pool users. Upgrades to restrooms are also needed, as are locker rooms with amenities.
Event space near the pool, known as Festival Plaza, will feature a bandstand and shaded cloth canopies.
New lighted walking paths will wind through the park, providing more safety for walkers.
“In our surveys, people said they want a bigger place to get together. They like to get together. It’s something that’s needed,” he said, citing the success of the annual City Fest.
Some of the projects are among those in the Capital Improvement Plan for 2023-2027, but will not happen unless funding is secured, and in some cases, grant money is available.
In March, the parks department received $600,000, the maximum amount available, to help fund the new pool, from an OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) grant.
This year’s budget included Community Park Enhancements (Pool, etc.): $8,000,000; Pickleball Courts: $300,000; and Improvements to O’Fallon Station Plaza: $165,000.
Six new pickleball courts supplement the existing courts at Hesse Park. Improvements to the O’Fallon Station include a concrete patio area with sunshade, new entry wall and welcome signage, sunshade covers for an existing patio in rear, and additional seating and amenities.
The Build O’Fallon Trust Fund in 2023 included the Blazier Field turf for $206,000, with half of cost being paid by O’Fallon Township High School; Pool/Katy Cavins Center study for $900,000; and the All-Abilities Playground/Trail project for $1 million.
Memorial Pool Updates
Labor Day will close out the pool season until next year. Off-season hours are currently in place – Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will close during inclement weather and low usage, so call the pool at 618-206-4392 for updates.
“Next year will be the final season,” Dallner said.
Vine Street Market
It has been record crowds for the Saturday farmer’s market from May to October this year, he said.
“It has been going great this year,” he said, estimated weekly crowds 1,200-1,600.
For this Saturday, people are encouraged to gather up kitchen knives, pruners and other items that need sharpening and bring them because Pekala’s Precision Sharpening will be there from 8 a.m. until noon.
City Fest 2023
Coming together as a community is what organizers hoped to happen five years ago with the inaugural City Fest. Hundreds of people enthusiastically responded, and over 70 local organizations, churches, and businesses have stepped up to volunteer or help sponsor this event, which runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The number of people who want to be active in the city is what sets O’Fallon apart, Mayor Herb Roach said.
“We have so many people who want to give back, all centered around helping the community help each other out,” he said.
Festivities kick off at 4 p.m. and run to 10 p.m. on Friday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, although the Sonny Sterthman Memorial Auto Fest starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, as does the O’Town Hustle Super Sprint Triathlon hosted by Bike Surgeon, and brunch is available.
The 5th annual triathlon is sponsored by North Bay Produce and hosted by Bike Surgeon in collaboration with the Jennifer Mueller Memorial Foundation and RaceMaker Productions.
A time trial start kicks it all off with a swim in the O’Fallon Community Pool then bike racing through the rolling hills north of O’Fallon on the way to a fast and flat run.
Hours for carnival rides are from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Wristbands for $25 will be sold the day of the event, not in advance.
The parade takes place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and the route starts at North Lincoln by old city hall, turns at 7th and S. Lincoln, and goes into the park.
Miss O’Fallon 2023 Beatrice McCoy will ride in the parade as her first official duty.
The headline entertainment on the main stage from 7 to 10 p.m. is Blue Marlin on Friday and Champagne Fixx on Saturday.
New this year is a Kids Zone for cheaper kids’ games and activities, and the Prince and Princess Contest has been revived.
For more information, visit www.ofallonilcityfest.com.
