State grant will enable Lakeview Rec Center work

The Peoria Park District was awarded a $2.5 million state grant to be used toward rehabilitating Lakeview Recreation Center in Lakeview Park.

Gov. Pat Quinn presented the grant, which is from the state’s Park and Recreational Facility Construction fund, a $25 million fund that provides targeted investments to eligible local governments for the acquisition, development, construction, rehabilitation and other capital improvements to park and recreational facilities in Illinois.

            PARC grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and are specifically designated for construction and capital projects only; the funds cannot be applied to operational costs.

            Since the former YWCA building, now Lakeview Recreation Center, was turned over to the Peoria Park District in 2013, the District has provided a variety of programs for all ages including youth and adult basketball and volleyball leagues, pickleball, indoor soccer, summer day camp and a host of other activities at the Center..

The state grant will allow the Peoria Park District to develop a new multi-purpose gymnasium for expanded programming, replace air conditioning in the existing gym, construct a new outdoor playground, demolish a non-functional portion of the facility, replace roofing and make other necessary improvements.

The result will be a much more energy efficient, ADA compliant Center.