Illinois has some of the most renowned park and recreation facilities in the country. Join us for a cruise to four of these outstanding park district facilities on Sunday, Feb. 9,1992. A bus will leave the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Hotel at 9:45 a.m. and return to the hotel by 1:15 p.m. Don't miss this chance to get some innovative ideas and behind-the-scenes information.

Commissioners, this is a unique opportunity for you to obtain state-of-the-art ideas on projects which you may be considering. Put this date on your calendar and plan to take part in this exciting program.

The four facilities that will be toured are: Elmhurst Park District's Courts Plus, Arlington Heights Park District's Administration Center, Mount Prospect Park District's Friendship Park Conservatory, and Mount Prospect Park District's RecPlex.

Elmhurst Park District's Courts Plus

How do you update an older, one-dimensional facility which catered to racquet sport enthusiasts only, and, at the same time, triple or quadruple the gross revenue? The Elmhurst Park District staff faced this challenge and decided to focus on a multi-dimensional facility catering to a wide variety of interests, yet still keeping the racquet sport participants. They also decided to offer a corporate partner in the health and fitness area the opportunity to use a portion of the building. The Life Plan Center, an Elmhurst Memorial Hospital facility, now uses 5,000 square feet of the 80,000 square-foot building for its cardiac rehabilitation, sports medicine, weight management, and wellness classes. Courts Plus now features six indoor tennis courts, four racquetball courts, two nursery areas, a large aerobic studio, spacious locker rooms, steam room, whirlpool, dry sauna, five-lane lap pool, free weights, aerobic equipment, proshop, administrative offices, and a four-lane running track.

Arlington Heights Park District's Administration Center

This facility is an excellent example of a renovation project which adapted the old to meet the needs of the 1990s. North School, built in 1938, served the elementary school children in downtown Arlington Heights until 1978. The Park District purchased the school building in 1986 and the renovation work to construct new administrative offices was completed in 1988. Three floors and 27,475 square feet of working space provides the staff of the Arlington Heights Park District headquarters in the center of town to efficiently serve the leisure needs of the community. During the construction, the priceless, old built-in woodwork, glass-enclosed book cases, and crown moldings were saved, thus preserving the historic integrity of the building. On September 18, 1988, the Park District dedicated the new Administration Center, 50 years after the original North School opened. The Arlington Heights ParkDistrict's Administration Center also includes a 1.6 acre site called North School Park which consists of open green spaces, playground, amphitheater, and a scenic water fountain.

Mount Prospect Park District's Friendship Park Conservatory

There's more to this greenhouse than just plants. Find out how Mount Prospect Park District has expanded the use of its greenhouse to a revenue producing facility offering a variety of programs and uses for people of all ages. Enjoy a brief escape from the Chicago winter in this little bit of paradise.

Mount Prospect Park District's RecPlex

One of Illinois' newest, largest (nearly 100,000 square feet) public indoor recreation facilities. Mount Prospect Park District'sRecPlex, boasts an eight-lane lap pool coupled with a 2-1/2 feet deep children's pool, aerobic rooms, fitness center, gymnasium with three full basketball courts and suspended running track, a children's area that includes an indoor playground, a community music/theater room, administrative offices, and much more. RecPlex has offered to open their brand new facility to all children (even childcare-aged infants) while their parents take part in the tour. Parents can meet their children after the tour and have lunch at the Conservatory. The children will be under the care of the Mount Prospect Recreation Staff at all times participating in age-appropriate activities.

Registration information

The cost of these on-site tours is $ 12 for a conference delegate and $ 15 for non-registered conference delegates. This fee includes lunch. Those interested in enjoying this tour should complete the pre-conference registration form and send it to IPRA, 1N141 County Farm Road, Winfield, IL 60190. Registrations are due January 3, 1992.