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Hinsdale moves forward on Beck Park artificial‑turf feasibility and pre‑engineering, with private fundraising pledge
Summary
Board reviewed proposals for pre‑engineering and a feasibility study totaling about $60,000 for artificial turf at Beck Park; plan envisages HYSA raising ~50% of project costs and the village guaranteeing a bank loan for the balance to be repaid from field revenues.
The Hinsdale Village Board on April 22 reviewed recommended contracts for engineering and a market feasibility study to evaluate installation of artificial turf at Beck Park.
Staff and trustees said the project envisions two all‑purpose artificial turf fields (football, soccer, lacrosse) and converting the infield at the baseball diamond to turf. Pre‑engineering services — surveying, title work, stormwater review and design — were proposed with White Engineering for $34,400 and an independent feasibility study (market demand, utilization and revenue projections) was recommended to Barry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker for $24,799, for a combined cost of roughly $60,000.
Trustees were told the Hinsdale Youth Sports Alliance (HYSA) and residents expect to raise approximately 50% of the total project cost via private donations; the village would guarantee a fully amortizing bank loan for the remaining 50% with debt service to be paid from field rental revenues. Staff said loan guarantees structured for similar past projects are not counted as “borrowed money” by rating agencies but noted the village would initially advance feasibility and engineering costs from general fund capital reserves and HYSA would reimburse 50%.
Staff described the engagement timeline: engineering completed by July and feasibility by August if approved at the May meeting, with plan‑commission and parks commission reviews over the summer and fall and a potential construction start in spring 2026. Staff and trustees emphasized the feasibility study will model realistic revenue assumptions and include interviews with local and regional clubs to test demand; trustees asked consultants to capture affiliate and non‑affiliate usage and any preferential rate structures in the financial model.
Trustees did not vote on final construction authorization on April 22; the board indicated it would place the engineering and feasibility vendor engagements on the May 6 agenda for action.
