The Village Board of Hanover Park on April 17 tabled a request from the Hanover Park Park District to waive up to $60,000 in water-related fees to fill and operate the Safari Springs Aquatic Center for summer 2025.

Trustees and commenters raised concerns about the park district’s maintenance history at the facility, noting last year’s intermittent closures and reported patchwork repairs to the pool floor. One speaker said the pool had been closed on scheduled days and residents were turned away. Trustee Lisa Gutierrez said she had not seen a repair plan despite past tax levies for improvements and asked for clearer information about how the district plans to address ongoing maintenance issues.

Village staff noted that the $60,000 figure is an upper limit based on prior usage; staff said the park district used approximately $43,000 last year for water consumption, a number reduced by closures and lower use. Staff also explained that water use includes the pool fill and replenishment during the season (evaporation and backfill), and that the pool fill process must begin about a month before the scheduled opening to allow for heating and chemical balancing.

After discussion trustees moved to table the item and invite representatives from the park district to respond to board questions at the May 1 meeting. The motion to table passed on roll call with trustees present voting in favor.

(Ending) The board did not grant the waiver at the April 17 meeting; staff will request a formal response and maintenance plan from the Hanover Park Park District and the matter will be reconsidered at the May 1 meeting.