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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Hampshire Township Park District considering placing a limiting rate referendum on the April 2023 ballot?
Hampshire Township Park District seeks to construct, operate, and maintain a new Community Recreation Center on State Street that would expand and enhance the recreational opportunities offered to all District residents. The District also seeks to provide a festival/special event/open space adjacent to the new Recreation Center.

How can residents learn more about the proposed recreation center proposal?
A public meeting will be held on January 11, 2023 at 6:30pm at 390 South Ave., Hampshire, IL 60140.  Additional details, including conceptual floor plans, elevation, and site plan can be found on the District website (here).

What would be included in the proposed new Community Recreation Center?
The new 76,000 SF recreation center would include the following amenities:

  • A 40-yd x 60-yd dividable synthetic indoor turf field, ideal for soccer, lacrosse, and flag football
  • A 200-m indoor walking track with 4-ft wide lanes, suitable for all ages
  • Athletic training space for all sports
  • A 10,000-sq-ft gymnasium featuring:
    • One 50’x84’ court, with two cross courts, ideal for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball
    • Overhead door for moving portable bleachers
  • A 4,000-sq-ft fitness room with cardio and weight training equipment
  • One 4,000-sq-ft multipurpose room that can be divided into two spaces to serve a variety of community needs, including dance classes, group fitness classes, party rentals, club meetings, and more
  • Entry lounge, reception area, restrooms, offices, and lobby
  • An outdoor playground

How would our community benefit from the proposed recreation center and festival/special event/open space?
There are many anticipated benefits of the proposed recreation facility and adjacent special event space, including:

  • Improving the overall quality of life for all residents
  • Providing year-round, indoor access to sports, recreational programs, and fitness
  • Promoting healthy lifestyle choices
  • Keeping seniors, families, teens, and children active and engaged
  • Enabling pre-teens to easily access after school by walking/biking
  • Offering after-school and summer programs that would benefit working families
  • Strengthening community connections by creating space for outdoor festivals and gatherings
  • Attracting young families, professionals, and new businesses to the community
  • Protecting the community’s property values


Why is an indoor turf field part of the proposed project?
The Park District is currently unable to support indoor field sports such as soccer, flag football, and lacrosse. Additionally, the District cannot support outside athletic groups. Providing our residents with the facilities to bring these popular youth sports inside would help expand the programs and better support our community’s needs. With the addition of a walk/jog track around the field, residents of all ages would be able to enjoy year-round, indoor exercise opportunities at no charge for access to the track.

Will there be fees to use the facility?
A pricing structure will be proposed to supplement operational costs of the facility, including staffing and maintenance.  The goal is to make programming as affordable as possible.

Would seniors get free access to the walk/jog track as well as discounted fees?
Yes. Seniors would enjoy free use of the indoor track, as well as discounted fees on other activities and programs offered at the Recreation Center.

What is the timeframe for the project?
It is estimated that it will take a total of 24 months from approval of a referendum for the project to be complete. This timeline includes 10-12 months for the complete design process and another 12 months for construction.

What types of equipment would be available in the fitness room?
The fitness space would feature an assortment of cardiovascular machines and weight training equipment.

How would the multipurpose room be used?
The multipurpose room could be separated into two 2,000-sq-ft spaces. These rooms would be used for Park District activities such as group fitness classes, dance classes, clubs, and more. They would also be available for community meetings and for residents to rent for private parties and events. The facility would also feature a separate kitchenette with a refrigerator and oven.

Where would the festival/special event/open space be located, and how would it be used?
A dedicated outdoor events and festival space would be located adjacent to the indoor Recreation Center and would connect to the shared parking lot via a pedestrian walkway. The space would be used for various large community gatherings, including events, concerts, and festivals.

What size and type of funding proposal is the Park District considering placing on the April 2023 ballot?
Under the current proposal, the cost of constructing a new Hampshire Township Park District Recreation Center would be approximately $31 million. The District is considering placing a 41-cent limiting rate increase proposal on the April 2023 ballot to cover the cost of construction as well as to help fund ongoing maintenance and operation of the facility.

What is the estimated tax impact of the proposed limiting rate increase?
The estimated tax impact of the proposed 41-cent limiting rate increase would be approximately $32 per month for a home with a fair market value of $300,000, or about $385 annually.

What oversight would be in place should voters approve the measure?
Information on the project’s budget and scope, as well as details on all spending of the voter-approved funds, would be publicly disclosed on the Park District’s website at hampshireparkdistrict.org.

Is the Park District pursuing other funding options?
In addition to asking the community for approval of a limiting rate increase, the Park District will pursue funding through grants and partnerships to support the project. However, these funds are not sufficient to underwrite the entire project.

What happens if the referendum is not approved?
If Park District residents do not approve the referendum, the proposed capital project will not be built. Under current plans, major capital improvements or replacements are completed with General Obligation Bonds, limited to approximately $47,000 annually, and grant funds. The Park District will continue maintaining the current facilities and park spaces to the best of their abilities.

 

What specific referendum language that would appear on ballot?
Below is the type of question that would appear on the ballot:

Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Hampshire Township Park District, Kane County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.41% above the limiting rate for levy year 2021 to acquire the site of, and build, equip and operate, a new community recreation center and for other park purposes and be equal to 0.52971% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2023?

(1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $443,174, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $1,961,021.

(2) For the 2023 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to
be $137.

(3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2023 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law).

When would district residents get to vote on the recreation center referendum?
On January 16th, 2023 the  Board of Commissioners voted to place the referendum question on the April 4, 2023 ballot. Key voting dates are as follows:

Request Vote By Mail Ballot
Wed, Jan 04, 2023*
*Ballots will not be sent until Fri Mar 10, 2023

Issue Vote By Mail Ballot
For Military/Overseas
Fri, Mar 10 – Mon, Mar 27, 2023

For All Other Vote By Mail
Fri, Mar 10 – Thu, Mar 30, 2023

Last Day to Register to Vote
Tue, Mar 07, 2023

Grace Period Registration & Voting
(At Kane County Elections Main Office & Aurora Satellite)
Wed, Mar 08 – Mon Apr 03, 2023

Early Voting Period
(At Kane County Elections Main Office & Aurora Satellite)
Fri, Mar 10 – Mon, Apr 03, 2023

Permanent Sites – Early Voting Period
(All Early Voting Polling Places)
Mon, Mar 20 – Mon, Apr 03 2023

You can register to vote, determine your polling place, and learn more by visiting the Kane County Clerk’s Office at https://www.kanecountyclerk.org/


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