Frankfort Park District to Pursue Referendum for $25-29 Million Indoor Recreation Center

Frankfort Park District Meeting | October 28, 2025

Article Summary:
The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners has decided to move forward with plans for a voter referendum to fund a new indoor recreation center, estimated to cost between $25 million and $29 million, a decision that could place the district on a tight timeline to make the March 2026 primary ballot.

Recreation Center Referendum Key Points:

• The board is targeting a $25 million facility with a tax impact of less than $200 annually per homeowner.

• A second proposal for a $29 million center will be developed to show what the additional funds could provide.

• The district faces a potential conflict with a planned Frankfort Fire District tax referendum in November 2026.

• As part of the plan, the board is considering the sale of the existing Founders Community Center.

FRANKFORT, IL – The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, reached a consensus to pursue a public referendum to fund the construction of a new indoor recreation center with a price tag estimated between $25 million and $29 million.

During a special board meeting, commissioners discussed the long-term goal of building a new facility and the financial implications for taxpayers. The board asked its architects to modify plans to focus on a $25 million recreation center, with the goal of keeping the annual tax increase for homeowners under $200. A parallel proposal will also be developed to show what an additional $4 million could provide in a $29 million facility.

The board’s timeline is complicated by the Frankfort Fire District, which has informed the park district it plans to seek its own tax-raising referendum in November 2026. Park district officials expressed concern that it would be “hard for the Park District to pass one at the same time.”

To avoid this conflict, the park district would need to place its question on the March 17, 2026, Primary Ballot, which requires filing paperwork in December 2025. Executive Director Gina Hassett stated that work for a referendum would have to “begin immediately” to meet the deadline.

As part of the long-range plan, the board confirmed that the sale of the Founders Community Center would need to be completed soon. The board also discussed potential building sites for the new center, including the Roma Sports Club if it were to become available.