Funding Shortfall for Maryknoll Only $6,500

Only $6,500 separates the from lifting the suspension on the Maryknoll Safety and Recreation Center.

Construction began on the center in April, but the park district’s board of commissioners stopped it in May when it became apparent that more money was needed.

Dave Scarmado, the Glen Ellyn superintendent of parks, presented a memo on Tuesday stating that they had received $20,000 in pledges for the construction. Both Athletico and the American Platform Tennis Association pledged $5,000, while an anonymous donor pledged $10,000 on the condition that the facility has two bathrooms.

That leaves the park district $6,500 short for the remainder of the project. 

Craig Pryde, an architect from PPKS Architects, was also present at the meeting, as they are the architects behind the Maryknoll center. He presented to the board with different measures they could undertake as a way to cut costs.

One such measure that was considered was changing the entrance from a double-door to a single-door.

The security system of the center was also a much-debated topic at Tuesday’s meeting. The choices boiled down to either keycards or regular keys. Mary Defiglia, assistant superintendent of recreation, said keycard system who would allow the park district to track and recognize who is coming in and out of the building.

Commissioner Kathy Cornell said she was uncomfortable with the keycard system.

“I’m a little bit concerned, with no staff to regulate their comings and goings,” Cornell said.

Board President Melissa Creech said there was no timeline for when the Maryknoll center will receive all of its funding and it may come from more fundraising.