Here’s an early look at expansion plans for The Rec in Fairview Heights
The Fairview Heights Parks & Recreation department provided an early look at conceptual design renderings for an expansion of The Rec Complex and renovations to Pleasant Ridge Park.
The projected $14 million, two-part construction project is in its early design planning stages with a tentative timeline that includes a completion date for fall 2026.
The presentation, given Wednesday to the community committee by Parks & Recreation Director Angela Beaston, highlighted improvements for Pleasant Ridge and the addition of a new building and pickleball courts at The Rec.
The committee voted to advance the project plans to city council.
The city began looking at expansion plans for the The Rec Complex of Fairview Heights five years after it opened. Membership is strong, and there’s great demand for the facility, Beaston said.
Expansion of The Rec includes the addition of an indoor and outdoor pickleball court facility. While preliminary plans included the addition of 12 pickleball courts, Beaston said at Wednesday’s meeting that there would instead be 10 courts.
An approximately 13,500-square-foot building will house the indoor courts and include restrooms without locker rooms. The space will also be utilized for public and private events and equipped with a catering kitchen and related storage.
Conceptual renderings depict outside covered courts with lighting and shades and exterior courts with lighting.
Other additions for the expansion include installation of utilities, adjustments to existing sidewalks and parking and landscaping.
Updates at Pleasant Ridge Park
Photos of Pleasant Ridge Park’s existing structures illustrate the well-worn conditions of the restrooms, pavilions and playground equipment.
Upgrades will include the installation of three new restrooms, one of which will be an all-season restroom, three new pavilions and an updated playground area with new equipment.
Rather than making updates one piece at a time, the city will undertake the park’s revitalization all at once. The park will close for the duration of the project, which is currently slated to begin in early 2026 with targeted completion in fall.
What will this project cost, and who will foot the bill?
The projected construction cost for the project is $14 million.
Mayor Mark Kupsky said the cost of The Rec’s original construction is paid through bonds and revenue from the city’s food and beverage tax. The expansion would also be funded with bonds, in addition to food and beverage and cannabis taxes.
At the April 16 meeting, Beaston reported that staff continues to work with Farnsworth Group and Holland Construction on the design and development of the two projects.
The city is also working with Millennia Professional Services on the expansion and renovation project.
A proposal from Farnsworth, dated Nov. 6, 2024, outlined the two-part project based on the city’s needs.
Holland Construction is providing pre-construction management and constructor services. City council approved an agreement for Millennia to perform a geotechnical study to be used in the design and construction of the additions to The Rec.
Costs approved by the city for each consultation are $430,140 plus reimbursed expenses to Farnsworth, $134,000 to Holland, and $13,900 to Millennia.
The original Rec project, the BND reported in 2016, was expected to cost $17 million.
In a 2018 story, Kupsky said the city had “secured bonds in the amount of $18.5 million” that would be paid through the food and beverage tax. At that time, the project cost was estimated at $21 million – $17 million for construction, $4 million for land, architectural fees, equipment and furnishings.
“We don’t have a town square or a downtown. We have The Rec,” Kupsky said Wednesday, adding that the business model is self-funding and there’s no other long-term debt.
“I will not do anything to indebt this city in [the] long term,” he said. “We’re in a very solid position [financially].”
About The Rec Complex of Fairview Heights
The Rec Complex opened its doors on May 6, 2019, at 9950 Bunkum Road in Fairview Heights.
Current hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Pleasant Ridge Park is located at 401 Pleasant Ridge Park, Fairview Heights.