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Orland Park rec department plans concerts, Taste headliners and feasibility work while pool and field rentals remain strong
Summary
Recreation director presented programs and capital requests including feasibility studies for a performing arts center and eastern field house, Centennial Park West programming, continued pool membership and field rental revenues, and capital fixes (dugouts, playgrounds, pickleball courts). Concerts and large special events carry notable budgeted
Recreation and parks staff described FY2026 operating and capital items including festival and concert planning, feasibility studies, athletic field improvements and pool operations.
Director Ray (last name not specified) listed next year’s priorities: a performing‑arts feasibility study, a CPW strategic operating plan, an eastern field‑house feasibility study and athletic‑field planning. He said the recreation budget will also support special events (Taste of Orland Park, Fourth of July fireworks and a CPW concert series) and proposed a modest staff increase to handle events year‑round.
Staff reported strong usage at Centennial Park Aquatic Center — about 88 open days in 2025, roughly 3,000 memberships and attendance near 87,000 for the season — and said memberships remain a primary revenue source; nonresident fees contribute materially to program revenues. Sportsplex turf fields are heavily used, with about 1,400 rentals reported in the season and high tournament activity.
Ray told trustees the department proposes to reduce the CPW concert entertainment budget from prior levels and planned three higher‑profile Thursday shows (staff proposed a $150,000 music headliner budget in planning materials). Taste of Orland Park drew about 30,000 attendees in the recent year and staff budgeted about $150,000 for headline entertainment; the event also generated about $130,000 in revenue in the most recent reported year.
Capital requests include dugout replacements at Centennial, a Schuessler playground installation (RFP to award construction imminent), pickleball courts at Sportsplex and Centennial and study/design funds for athletic field and turf considerations. Trustees and staff discussed whether the Civic Center could generate more rental revenue or whether its current community use makes operating it at a deficit acceptable.
Ending: Staff will return with award recommendations for imminent RFPs and with feasibility study scopes to guide future capital choices.
