A broad-based gifts catalog can help your park district grow during a period of declining revenues.

By Frank Duis

After more than six months of discussion and study, the Sterling Park District Board of Commissioners entered into a gift/purchase agreement with Peter W. Dillon for the ownership of the Westwood Sports Center. The agreement became effective July 1, 1985.

This 76,480 square-foot-facility consists of a pro shop, four locker rooms, sauna, whirlpool, four indoor tennis courts, eight indoor racquet-ball courts, a teaching tennis court, fitness room, dance and exercise room, nautilus room and a newly constructed free weight room. There is also approximately 4,900 square feet of second floor mezzanine space which includes court viewing, walkways, a small kitchen and manager's office.

In addition to the sports complex, the district will receive rent income from three businesses, two of which are recreation-oriented. A gymnastics club, tanning center and control manufacturer lease an additional 18,300 square feet.

A gift/purchase agreement can be one solution to financial problems.

A unique agreement

On May 2, 1985, the park district board considered a proposal which offered to transfer the assets of the Westwood Sports Center under a partial sale and partial gift agreement. The gift portion totaled $495,250, or 50 percent of the average fair market value of the property. The district then purchased the remaining 50 percent of the property for $495,250 over a nine-year period.

The gift/purchase agreement encompasses the main building which sits on 3.76 acres of land. It also includes the equipment used in the total operation of the sports center. The facility will be funded with revenues generated by patron use.

Under a lease agreement of $1 per year, the park district will utilize six outdoor tennis courts and eight soft-ball diamonds which surround the sports center on 9.42 acres of land. At a future date, this land will be transferred to the district in a separate gift/purchase agreement.

Illinois Parks and Recreation                                 9                                       November/December 1985

A separate gift

In December, 1980, Dillon donated the West-wood Indoor Track Building, which adjoins the sports center. This facility alone was valued at $987,000.

No tax dollars have been used for its operation or maintenance. It has been funded solely on revenues generated from patron use.

An overview of the center

The main building of the sports center was constructed in 1971. Two 50-foot additions were built on each end of the facility in 1974 and 1975. The steel structure has carpeted floors; dry wall, paneled and papered walls, and two by four foot dropped acoustical tile ceilings with exposed flourescent lighting.

The interior of the main building has carpeted floors with asphalt tile in the restrooms and locker rooms. The walls are paneled with some painted block partitions.

The tennis courts have synthetic (Uniturf) floors with exposed insulated interior walls and exposed ceiling panels. They are lighted with DeVoe flourescent units. The entire facility is heated with electric infrared heating.

Other features

The eight racquetball courts have inlaid maple floors with enameled panel walls and ceilings. They are two stories in height with viewing areas from the walkways above.

The center offers "something for everyone."

The dance and exercise rooms have vinyl tile floors, paneled walls and two by four foot dropped acoustical ceilings. The nautilus room is completely carpeted with wood paneled walls, a similar dropped ceiling and recessed flourescent lighting. Suspended circulation fans in all areas of the facility increase energy efficiency.

An economic advantage

The Sterling Park District views the gift/purchase of the Westwood Sports Center as a revenue source replacing more than $14,000,000 lost in assessed valuation since 1982. With no help from revenue sharing, the sales tax or the State income tax, the money generated from the Sports Center could be vital in financing the district's overall operation.

Editor's Note: The Sterling Park District has twice (1977 and 1984) been awarded the National Cold Medal for excellence in the field of park and recreation management.

An aerial view of the Westwood Sports Center, including the track and field facility, shows the following: (1) track building, (2) connecting building, (3) main building, (4) auxiliary tennis building, (5) six outdoor tennis courts, and (6, 7) eight softball diamonds.

Illinois Parks and Recreation                                 10                                       November/December 1985