REC Center to Continue Operating as Private Fitness Facility

The United City of Yorkville's lease with the center expires June 30 and the facility will begin operating as a private fitness center July 1.

Yorkville residents who enjoy working out at the REC Center will be able to continue their fitness regimen after the city leaves the site. On Monday Walker Custom Homes announced they will re-open the facility as a private fitness center July 1. The city's lease with the REC Center expires June 30. Currently the REC Center houses the Recreation Department administrative staff, fitness equipment and programs, a pool and several recreation classes, although some recreation programs are offered at city parks and at local schools. Prior to the City of Yorkville operating the REC Center, the building was home to Club 47 Health & Fitness which served Yorkville and the surrounding communities from 1996 until June of 2008. Ron Walker, owner of the…

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Slimmer Yorkville Recreation Catalogue Sent Out This Week

Following the city’s decision to not purchase the REC Center, city leaders began to pare down recreation offerings, citing lack of space.

This week Yorkville residents can expect to find slimmer winter/ spring recreation catalogues in their mailboxes. Following the city’s decision to not purchase the REC Center, city leaders began to pare down recreation offerings, citing lack of space. Laura Schraw, interim parks and recreation director for Yorkville, said the new catalogue does not include fitness classes, REC Center memberships, swim lessons or open gym activities. “…as these are a part of the REC Center budget and will no longer be offered when we leave the facility. All of those items can still be found online at the REC Center website and will be available as long as we are in the facility, just no longer marketed,” Schraw said in an email. Regular recreation …

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YMCA To Waive Fees for REC Center Members.

YMCA officials open to exploring additional services within Yorkville as city redefines recreation programs.

With the likely diminishing recreation offerings from the city parks and recreation department, Fox Valley Family YMCA officials announced this week it will waive fees for current REC Center members seeking new fitness options. After Mayor Golinski said the potential purchase of the REC Center was unlikely due to the voters opposing the non-binding referendum in November, YMCA officials met with Parks Board members and agreed that providing community support to the residents of Yorkville was important through the upcoming transition, according to a YMCA press release. Stephanie Wayne, operations director for the YMCA, said the waiving of membership fees begins today. YMCA officials said they hope the “gesture of support” will ease any …

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Recreation, Tax Levy and Sale of Property on Council Agenda Tonight

Special meeting begins at 6 p.m. with the regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Yorkville officials are set to vote on the proposed 2013 tax levy and the sale of a parking lot to an area investor during Tuesday night's regular city council meeting at 7 p.m. Yorkville officials are predicting a lower tax levy, with residents' property tax rates remaining much the same as the previous year. The estimated corporate and special purpose levy is $3,650,692, although the final number is expected to be lower. What this means for residents is if someone paid $780 to the city in 2011 property taxes, but their property value fell 6 percent, which is the average drop in the city, that resident can expect to pay $778. If a resident’s property value increased, their payment will increase up to $850 from $780. If a property value …

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Mayor Calls Special Council Meeting to Discuss Recreation

City Council will discuss the future of city recreation programs following voters opposing a referendum on whether or not to purchase the REC Center.

Mayor Calls Special Council Meeting to Discuss Recreation

Meeting will be held Nov. 27 at 6 p.m., an hour before the regularly scheduled council meeting begins.

Yorkville officials will gather for a special city council meeting Nov. 27 to discuss the future of the city's recreation program. Officials will likely discuss a plan to not only break ties with the REC Center, but will also likely address changes to winter recreation programs the city will offer. Earlier this month Mayor Gary Golinksi said it was unlikely the city will purchase the REC Center after voters opposed a non-binding referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot. After 52 percent of the voters rejected the possibility of buying the REC Center, Golinski said he did not think members of the city council would support a plan to purchase the site. With the rejection of the referendum, Golinski said it’s likely the city will have to reduce the …

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Purchase of REC Center Unlikely, Mayor Says

Mayor calls referendum results a "referendum on recreation."

There are no plans for the United City of Yorkville to purchase the REC Center, following voters opposing the non-binding referendum on last week’s ballot referendum. Mayor Gary Golinski said he does not think members of the city council would support a plan to purchase the site after 52 percent of the voters rejected the notion of the city purchasing the REC Center for a price not to exceed $2.5 million. Golinski said he believes the voters’ choice was not just about the REC Center, but was a referendum on city-supported recreation. With the rejection of the referendum, Golinski said it’s likely the city will have to reduce the winter recreation programs it offers. The winter catalogue was set to go to the printers prior to the election, …

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Yorkville Voters Reject Rec Center Referendum

52 percent of voters oppose ballot question on whether or not the city should purchase the Rec Center.

The people of Yorkville rejected a referendum on Tuesday’s ballot on whether or not the United City of Yorkville should purchase the Rec Center. According to unofficial voter results, 52 percent of voters in the 19 precincts in Yorkville rejected the question. Election results show 3,704 voters opposed the idea, while 3,408 voters, or 47.9 percent supported the plan. City officials said the ballot question would provide guidance to city council members on which way to proceed with the issue. The question on voters’ ballots read: “Should the United City of Yorkville purchase the Rec Center to operate as a public recreation facility through a 20- year installment purchase contract at a purchase price not to exceed $ 2.5 million with interest…

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REC Center Referendum on Tuesday's Ballot

Non-binding referendum will provide guidance to city council.

Yorkville voters will be asked to weigh in on whether or not the United City of Yorkville should purchase the REC Center, which the city has been leasing for about five years. A referendum question on the ballot reads: “Should the United City of Yorkville purchase the Rec Center to operate as a public recreation facility through a 20- year installment purchase contract at a purchase price not to exceed $ 2.5 million with interest at a rate not to exceed 6% per year?” A "yes" or "no" vote will provide guidance to city council members on how to procede. The REC Center currently has 1,400 members. Over 3,000 people use the facility every month, according to city documents. These members will pay for the purchase through membership fees and …

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Yorkville to Host Three Forums on REC Center Referendum

The first one is next Tuesday.

The United City of Yorkville provided the following news release: The United City of Yorkville will be holding three public meetings on the REC Center referendum. October 9, 2012 at 5:30pm in the City Hall Council Chambers; October 16, 2012, at 9:15am at the REC Center Small Gym; and October 25, 2012 at 6:30pm at the REC Center Small Gym. Information that will be presented can be found on the City website at www.yorkville.il.us. Questions regarding the referendum can be directed to referendum@yorkville.il.us or call 630-553-4350.   Related articles: • Yorkville City Leaders Provide Answers on REC Center Referendum • Golinski: Yorkville Plans Small Tax Levy Reductions • Voters to Weigh in on Proposed REC Center Purchase • Updated: Gilson …

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