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Antioch board considers multi‑phase partnership with Lindenhurst Park District to run recreation programs and camps
Summary
Village staff proposed a phased intergovernmental agreement that would shift most recreation programming — including summer camps and Camp Crayon — to the Lindenhurst Park District beginning this May, while the village would retain ownership of facilities such as the pool and continue running special events.
Village staff on Monday outlined a multi‑phase plan to hand day‑to‑day recreation operations to the Lindenhurst Park District while the village retains key facilities and special events. Under the proposal, Lindenhurst would begin managing recreation programs in May, take over Camp Crayon by September and assume full recreation programming the following May, with the village keeping ownership of the pool and staging certain events, staff said.
"Beginning this May, Lindenhurst will start to run our recreation programs," a parks administrator said, presenting the framework the districts have discussed. Staff said Lindenhurst would handle registration, marketing and catalog distribution, which they argued should reduce the village’s high program cancellation rate and expand residents’ options.
The board’s parks consultant and interim parks director described a department with solid park acreage (about 165 acres) but aging amenities and recurring cancellations that drive operational inefficiency. "We have about a 60% cancellation rate" for contractor‑run programs, the interim director said, noting competition from school‑district preschool programs and private providers.
Trustees pressed staff for specifics on costs, capacity and safety. One trustee asked whether residents would face a new line on their tax bill; staff replied the village would likely contribute a one‑time subsidy (preliminarily discussed around $75,000) to secure resident pricing and marketing support and that any fee structure would be returned to the board for approval. "It's not gonna be like a line in my on their tax bill," staff said when describing the intended fee model and subsidy mechanism.
Board members flagged concerns about pool capacity, nonresident priority and security for camps. "We have to make sure the safety and security is covered," one trustee said, citing teacher and parent concerns about cameras and emergency systems at potential off‑site camp locations. Staff said Lindenhurst officials emphasized communications and resident outreach and have indicated they want the arrangement to be long‑term but flexible; staff recommended a 3‑year initial agreement with periodic reassessment.
Next steps described by staff include drafting an intergovernmental agreement, discussing detailed fee and capacity terms with Lindenhurst and returning to the board with a draft IGA and budget impacts. Trustees asked staff to provide a clearer first‑year cost estimate, a proposed communications plan for residents and contingencies for pool capacity before moving to final approval.
The board did not vote on the partnership Monday; staff said they expect to present draft agreement language and more precise costs at a future meeting.
