Lisle could be getting a major new indoor recreation facility — but first, voters will decide whether the project moves forward.
The Lisle Park District has placed a $29.75 million bond referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot to help fund a proposed new Community Activity Center.
If approved, the project would replace the existing Community Center at 1825 Short Street with a new two-story facility featuring indoor sports courts, a fitness center, an elevated walking and jogging track, flexible activity space and more.
The proposed building would total approximately 47,753 square feet and would be designed as a year-round recreation destination for children, teens, adults and seniors.
What Is Lisle Proposing?
The Lisle Park District wants to replace its existing Community Center with a much larger and more versatile facility.
The proposal comes after several years of planning and community feedback surrounding the need for additional indoor recreation space.
If voters approve the referendum, the new Community Activity Center would be constructed near the existing recreation facilities around Short Street and Ohio Street.
Importantly, the current Lisle Recreation Center at 1925 Ohio Street would remain open.
The new building would replace the Community Center at 1825 Short Street, located just north of Sea Lion Aquatic Park.
What Would Be Inside the New Community Activity Center?
The proposed facility is designed around flexible spaces that can serve different ages and activities throughout the day.
Plans currently include:
Two full-size gymnasium courts
An additional multi-activity court
Elevated indoor walking and jogging track
Fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment
Stretching and warm-up area
Large group exercise and dance studio
Men's and women's locker rooms
Family changing room
Lobby and community gathering spaces
Flexible spaces for programs, rentals and events
The gymnasiums could accommodate activities including basketball, volleyball and pickleball.
The multi-activity court could be used for athletics, fitness programs, training, rentals and community events.
Indoor Walking Could Be a Big Addition
One particularly useful feature for suburban residents could be the proposed elevated indoor walking and jogging track.
Chicago winters aren't exactly ideal for outdoor walking.
Neither are especially hot or rainy days.
An indoor track would give Lisle residents another option for staying active throughout the year without needing to depend on the weather.
The facility would also provide fitness equipment and group exercise programming, making it much more than simply a new gymnasium.
Why Isn't Lisle Building an Indoor Pool?
One thing that isn't included in the proposal is an indoor aquatic center.
The Park District says indoor aquatics were considered during its feasibility study but were ultimately removed because of the cost.
According to the district, current construction costs for indoor aquatic facilities can reach approximately $1,000 per square foot, before accounting for supporting spaces such as locker rooms.
A pool large enough to address community requests could have added roughly $10 million in construction costs, along with significant ongoing operating expenses.
Instead, the proposal focuses on flexible recreation areas that could serve more activities and residents throughout the day.
How Much Would the Project Cost Taxpayers?
This is where the November vote becomes important.
The Park District is asking voters to authorize $29.75 million in bonds to help pay for construction and equipment.
For a home with a fair market value of approximately $407,000 — the current median home value used by the Park District — the estimated tax impact would be about $146 per year.
The proposed bonds would run for 25 years.
The Park District also anticipates potentially contributing up to $5 million from its existing fund balance toward the project.
This Project Has Been Years in the Making
The Community Activity Center proposal didn't appear overnight.
Planning has taken place over several years.
The Park District points to several major steps:
2023: Its Strategic Master Plan identified indoor multigenerational recreation as an area needing additional review.
2024: Facility assessments examined the condition and use of existing Park District buildings.
2025: An Indoor Recreation Space Feasibility Study collected resident feedback about fitness, court sports, walking and jogging areas and flexible indoor programming.
2026: A citizen task force reviewed recreation needs, early concepts and possible funding options.
The district also conducted a community opinion survey and held public information sessions before the Park Board ultimately voted in August 2026 to put the referendum before voters.
The Facility Would Serve More Than Just Lisle
Although this is a Lisle Park District project, the district's reach extends beyond the village itself.
The Park District says it serves approximately 32,000 residents across Lisle and portions of Naperville, Woodridge and unincorporated DuPage County.
It currently maintains 43 parks covering more than 400 acres, along with facilities including Sea Lion Aquatic Park, River Bend Golf Club, the Recreation Center and the Museums at Lisle Station Park.
More Parking Is Part of the Concept
A larger recreation facility also means more visitors.
The current site concept calls for a reconfigured parking area with approximately 100 spaces directly in front of the proposed Community Activity Center.
Connections would also be improved between the new facility, the existing Recreation Center and Sea Lion Aquatic Park parking areas.
That could make the larger Community Park area more connected as a recreation campus rather than a collection of separate facilities.
What Could People Actually Do There?
If built, the Community Activity Center could support a wide variety of programs.
Potential uses include youth basketball, volleyball, soccer and flag football programs; pickleball and adult sports leagues; group fitness and dance classes; camps and clinics; after-school recreation; teen programming; senior fitness; indoor walking; tournaments; community events and facility rentals.
That flexibility is one of the biggest ideas behind the proposal.
Instead of constructing a facility around one particular sport or activity, the district is proposing spaces that can change throughout the day depending on community needs.
Why It Matters for Lisle
This would be a significant investment in Lisle's recreational infrastructure.
A nearly 48,000-square-foot indoor recreation center could give residents more options during winter and provide additional space for sports, fitness programs, community events and activities for different generations.
But it's important to remember that this project is not approved for construction yet.
Voters will ultimately determine whether the Park District can issue the proposed $29.75 million in bonds.
That makes the November 3 referendum the key next step.
When Will Lisle Residents Vote?
The referendum will appear on the November 3, 2026 election ballot.
Before the election, the Lisle Park District is also holding two public information sessions on Wednesday, October 21 at the Lisle Recreation Center, 1925 Ohio Street.
Sessions are scheduled for:
9:30–10:30 AM
and
6:00–7:00 PM
Park District staff are expected to discuss the building concept, potential programming, project costs and estimated taxpayer impact.
FAQs
How large would Lisle's new Community Activity Center be?
The proposed two-story facility would contain approximately 47,753 square feet.
How much is the referendum?
The Lisle Park District is asking voters to authorize $29.75 million in bonds to help construct and equip the proposed facility.
How much could property taxes increase?
The Park District estimates an increase of approximately $146 per year for a home valued at $407,000. Actual impacts would vary based on property value and other factors.
Would the current Lisle Recreation Center close?
No. The Recreation Center at 1925 Ohio Street would remain in operation. The project would replace the existing Community Center at 1825 Short Street.
Is the new Community Activity Center definitely being built?
No. The project depends on the outcome of the November 3, 2026 referendum. Voters must approve the proposed bond issuance before the project can proceed as planned.
Final Thoughts
Lisle residents have a significant decision coming this November.
The proposed Community Activity Center would bring nearly 48,000 square feet of new indoor recreation space to the community, including gymnasiums, fitness facilities, an indoor walking track and flexible spaces for everything from pickleball to community events.
But it would also require a substantial public investment.
The Park District is asking voters to approve $29.75 million in bonds, with an estimated annual tax impact of around $146 for a median-value Lisle home.
Whether residents decide that investment is worthwhile will be determined on November 3.
If voters say yes, Lisle could be taking a major step toward creating a new multigenerational recreation hub for the community.
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