Community Corner

Stuart Sports Complex Will Get Revised Improvement Plan

New study suggests fewer soccer fields, baseball diamonds than called for in original expansion plan.

For months, the Fox Valley Park District has known that its plans for Stuart Sports Complex may change. On Monday, the district got a clearer idea of just what those changes may entail.

The expansion of Stuart Sports Complex, the district’s large central park in the heart of the village, was first proposed in 2007. District leaders planned to spend $9.5 million to build 16 new soccer fields and eight lighted baseball and softball fields, among other amenities.

But with the economy sinking over the past three years, and the district building several more ball fields around Stuart, those plans had to be reassessed. District leaders hired Market and Feasibility Advisors of Chicago to conduct a new study, the results of which were released Monday.

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According to Jeff Long, public relations manager for the district, the new study shows Stuart Sports Complex can handle up to 14 soccer fields and four baseball/softball fields—a slight reduction in the former, but half of the original plan for the latter.

At Monday’s meeting of the Park District Board, trustees asked for a revised master plan for the complex. That plan, Long said, would be available in mid-to-late spring.

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In a press release issued Monday night, Jeff Palmquist, director of planning, development and grants for the district, said the new study offers “an accurate road map going forward to help us meet the growing demand for athletic fields.”

“Now we’ll roll up our sleeves to develop a revised and updated master plan for Stuart Sports Complex,” Palmquist said.

According to Long, about $8.5 million remains for the expansion of Stuart Sports Complex. The money comes from a 2008 sale of $44.9 million in bonds to pay for improvements across the district.


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