Grand opening announced for Sycamore Community Center

SYCAMORE – The Sycamore Park District appears ready to hit another goal, with the new Community Center set to open April 14, as predicted, according to a news release.

The 40,000-square-foot center at 480 Airport Road will open that Saturday with a public event from noon to 4 p.m., which will feature activities such as a scavenger hunt, program and facility demonstrations and a staff meet and greet.

When the clock strikes 4 p.m., the center will open for business, including 24-hour access to the fitness center.

The park district also recently hit $1 million in private donations to fulfill the Leaf a Legacy campaign – the final funding element in the park district's $13 million Action 2020 plan. The community center campus is the biggest part of that plan.

The expected total cost of $13 million includes a $9 million bond sale that was approved by referendum in 2015 and will be repaid through increased property taxes. Another $3 million is to be covered by grants.

The community center will offer a wellness program, Pathway Fitness, in cooperation with Northwestern Medicine and Northern Illinois University’s Department of Kinesiology.

In addition to an elevated track, two full-court gyms, three multipurpose rooms and a dance and aerobics studio, the community center will house recreation and administrative staff offices. The current office at 940 E. State St. will close April 11, and during the transition hours will shorten to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, although staff can be contacted at 815-895-3365 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For information, including costs for community center daily passes, Pathway Fitness memberships, to sign up for programs, or to buy park district aquatics passes, visit sycamoreparkdistrict.com.