Commissioners Will Review Field Usage Study

The Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners will look at an athletic field usage study at Tuesday night's meeting.

The report finds that, due to overlapping sport seasons, inclement weather and increased usage, some park district fields are in need of repair.

The study warns that problems will keep growing if fields do not get adequate rest between seasons.

The field usage study was supposed to be discussed at the July 19 board meeting, however, thunderstorms knocked out power in most of Glen Ellyn, which postponed the discussion on the study for a later date.

Mike Fugiel, interim executive director of the park district, said one of the goals of the study is to propose creating a field rotation schedule, which allots time for rest and repairs. 

The study examines the fields at Ackerman, Newton and Village Green Parks and lists the financial impact for short and long-term fixes.   

The study detailed how achieving the long-term fixes could cost the park district more than $7 million, and between $139,345 and $239,800 for short-term fixes.   

To improve field conditions in the short-term, village staff is recommending that some fields "rest" for either a spring or fall season. The review also mentions that down the road possible capital improvement projects could possibly require the fields to be closed for both seasons.    

Fugiel said the study is more of an informational piece for the commissioners. He described it as an opportunity for the commissioners to understand the issues the park district is facing.

The board of commissioners meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the , 185 Spring Ave.