Published on September 11, 2025 2:27 pm
Last Updated on September 11, 2025 2:27 pm
Effingham Park Board members have voted to award the bid to complete the skate park at Hendelmeyer Park.
Always Hard Concrete was the lone bidder on the work at $153,000. That vendor did the first phase of the project.
Park District Director Jeff Althoff said he hopes the second phase work will begin in October and hopes it will be completed by the end of the year.
Park Commissioners also reviewed a report from Holabird and Root on the Kluthe Pool at Evergreen Hollow Park.
Althoff said three options were considered. One option is to refurbish the current pool complex, which would cost $2 million on the “very low end” and probably $3 million to get a suitable project done. A second option would be to replace the pool complex with a splash pad. Althoff said that would cost between $5 million and $10 million. The third option is to remove the pool complex and replace it with a waterpark. Althoff said that option would cost anywhere up to $35 million.
Althoff said a consideration is to work on a pool that operates three months each year and at a loss. He said another consideration is that are two indoor pools available in the Workman Sports and Wellness Complex.
No decisions were reached on the options, and Althoff said he wants community involvement before the Park Board decides on what option to pursue.
In the meantime, the Board reviewed other capital improvement projects. Those could include replacing the older pavilions and restrooms, replacing parking lots, and working on the tennis courts at Community Park. Bids on that project are due this Monday.
