Special Feature

The Centennial Complex
A Landmark to Cooperation and Ingenuity

by
Susan Balling
&
Jean Morgan Bacon

Addison Park District's Centennial Complex started as an idea—a dream—little more than three years ago. It now stands as a reality and testament to what cooperation and ingenuity can accomplish. This one-of-a-kind facility was built in cooperation with the Addison Park District and the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA). An existing 5,000 square-foot recreation center was expanded into a 46,000 square-foot facility that includes new administrative offices and storage space for NEDSRA

Initial Planning Stages

NEDSRA, an innovator in the field of special recreation associations, identified the need for a permanent home as part of its 1988-1989 long range plan. The Addison Park District included expansion of the existing recreation building at Centennial Park as part of its master plan. As discussions developed, it became apparent that a joint project would be beneficial to both agencies and the residents. By building cooperatively, more space could be provided, and the needs of the residents could be met at a lower cost.

Legal Road Blocks

In developing the plan for the complex, it was decided by the boards of the Park District and NEDSRA that a unique intergovernmental agreement was needed. In the agreement the Park District owns the building and issued all bonds for construction. NEDSRA has a 99-year lease at no cost for its space, and must pay off its portion of the debt to the Park District by 2005. NEDSRA's member districts entered into an agreement to provide funds at a level to pay off the debt regardless of their future status as member districts of NEDSRA.

The law firm of Chapman and Cutler, bond counselors, informed the agencies that this would be the first time such an agreement had been entered into by these types of governmental bodies. After researching the legalities further, it was discovered that there was no provision in the Park District Code that would allow for such an agreement. The directors of the Addison Park District and NEDSRA consulted with Rep. Lee Daniels and requested his assistance in amending Section 10-7 of the Park District Code and its correlating Section of the Municipal Code. Within three weeks the "bill" was written, sponsored, out of committee, and on the floor of the legislature as part and parcel of another bill already mid-stream in the legislative process. Without passage of this unprecedented legislation, the Centennial Park project could not have been completed.

Community Involvement

The Addison Park District had many community concerns to address in evaluating this project. The Park District was faced with the task of convincing the community that there was value in providing Addison land for an organization (NEDSRA) that would bring residents in from 12 other park districts, and to commit funds toward NEDSRA's part of the project plus budgeting for their own portion of the complex. In line with that, members of the Addison Park District Citizens Council were consulted for their input. The Park District's regular board and committee meetings were supplemented by two highly publicized hearings; one specifically to determine the concerns of residents who live near Centennial Park, and a second with mailed invitations requesting all residents of Addison to attend.

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Residents were not only supportive, they were enthusiastic about the project. NEDSRA held 64 community meetings in its 13-member communities. At each level of approval, staff representatives attended the meetings to answer questions. The parent advisory board for NEDSRA was involved to provide input as to the concerns and considerations of the community.

A Grand Opening

Centennial Complex was substantially completed on May 1, 1991, and NEDSRA's administrative offices were moved to their new home that same day. Addison's portion of the Centennial Complex opened for business shortly after and began full programming later that fall.

More than 400 guests attended a grand opening celebration held in August. The festive occasion featured lunch, music, children's entertainment, a tree planting and dedication ceremony and a ribbon tying ceremony that symbolized the unity of the agencies and their staff members.

Needs Met

Addison Park District met the goal set out in their master plan to expand their recreation center on the west side of town to provide more programming space. The Park District filled specific needs in three major areas: additional gymnasium space for youth activities; fitness programs; and dance classes. Some of the new construction was designed for specific use by the Park District, while some, such as the gymnasium, was designed for combined use with NEDSRA.

For NEDSRA, the project has established a permanent location for the Special Recreation Association and provided stability for the future. Although the agency has a permanent administrative base, it continues to maintain a decentralized philosophy of service in all 13 member districts. Likewise, the project established some unique facilities to encourage and allow for greater exposure of wheelchair sports and a higher level of Special Olympics training and competition in NEDSRA's service region.

Use of the building has skyrocketed since the fall of 1991. The general community of Addison as well as NEDSRA participants enjoy many special features such as a dance room, multipurpose rooms, full regulation basketball court, two non-regulation basketball courts, railed indoor track, volleyball court, housing for wheelchair accessible vehicles, electronic doors, locker rooms and washrooms.

The complex's central location and facilities have received the attention of may professional groups. Many meetings and workshops have been held at the complex since its opening.

Accessible to All

As an agency that serves people with disabilities, one of NEDSRA's main concerns was optimum accessibility for all people. Every feature and detail of every room was designed for fall use by everyone. State-of-the-art materials and products were used in several areas to produce a fully integrated facility, and allow maximum independence and use by those with disabilities. These design concepts have been praised by local, state and national officials, and will serve as a prototype to other architects as they strive to use the Architectural Barriers and Compliance Act and the Accessibility Codes and Guidelines to achieve not just accessibility, but full inclusion.

The optimum accessibility of the facility as well as the commitment of both the Addison Park District and NEDSRA have resulted in maximum use by groups with special needs.

Since moving to the facility, NEDSRA has become an official sponsor of the Chicago Wheelchair Bulls basketball team. Centennial Complex hosts this team's weekly practices, games and local tournaments. The facility has become the training or meeting site for many other groups.

Maintenance and Operation

A unique part of the cooperative agreement involves the considerations of maintenance and operational expenses. Common-wealth Edison and Company has arranged for each area of the facility to be billed directly to only one agency, thus avoiding re-billing. Each agency has separate cut-offs for their areas as well. Shared spaces also have a primary control agency to eliminate confusion. Gas, water, heat and cooling are all controlled in a similar way. The entire computer controlled heating and cooling plant for the facility was selected for its energy efficiency. Thermal windows, skylights and a state-of-the-art roofing system add further control ofthe environment. All railings are made of PVC coated piping that requires no painting and/or maintenance.

The landscaping was done by members ofthe Park District parks staff. This resulted in substantial savings. The plants used are native to the area and were chosen to thrive in the conditions with little maintenance.

Conclusion

The Centennial Complex is the first facility in Illinois constructed by a special recreation association in conjunction with a park district. It represents a cooperative effort among 13 governmental bodies in a united effort to retire a bond issue for the purpose of constructing a facility which lies outside the boundaries of 12 of the 13 participants. Perhaps the finest example of its kind, this cooperative effort has resulted in a facility that was constructed for full access with the goal of providing a place for all members of its user family to participate together in parks and recreation programs.

It demonstrates that we may go beyond the accessibility codes to create acceptability in a manner which is welcomed by the community.

About the Authors

Susan Balling is Assistant to the Director for the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association. Jean Morgan Bacon is Public Information Coordinator/or the Addison Park District.