Politics & Government
Mayor Reaves: No News on Sports Complex, Yet
Mayor Brian Reaves told residents Monday that he's still in discussions with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and that it supports the Village's use of the land.
The future of a proposed sports complex in Lemont is still unclear, Mayor Brian Reaves said Monday.
Talks continue with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which owns the land upon which the $21 million complex would be built.
"They hold everything in their hands," Reaves said, of the MWRD.
Reaves's approach to the project has incensed residents, after the board voted down a need for a referendum on the project. The mayor's vision for the 129,000-square-foot complex has some residents concerned about repercussions of potential shortfall in revenue, some saying the local community does not reflect the need for such a facility. Others have said the complex would be a magnet for the travel sports community, detailing weekends spent shuttling children between different sports facilities, along with money spent shopping local restaurants and stores.
The MWRD supports the Village's use of the land, Reaves said.
"The MWRD is behind Lemont doing what we can with that land," he said. "It all comes down to cost."
The land is currently flagged as a brown field, and Reaves is working with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to estimate what can be done with it, and for how much.
He "hopes for some direction" within 4 to 6 weeks.
Past Coverage:
- Supporters Go to Bat for Sports Complex in Lemont
- Board Close to Naming Private Financing for Sports Complex
- Mayor, Board Still Mulling Private Financing for Sports Complex
- Village Answers FAQs about Proposed Sports Complex
- Board Votes Down Need for Bonds, Referendum on Sports Complex
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