Floods, Heat, Rain Take Toll On Park District Revenues

Several of the Niles Park District facilities had fewer visitors this summer due to extreme heat or rain, staff told park commissioners at their monthly board meeting Tuesday. 

High temperatures kept golfers off the Tam Golf Course for several days last month and floods forced a six day closure at the end of July, said Peter Dubs, the course manager.  There were just short of 5,000 rounds of golf played in July, down about 1,300 compared to last season’s numbers.

Earlier:

Commissioners joked about adding lights so that the course could be open 24 hours. 

“We haven’t been lucky with the weather this year,” Dubs said.

In the past, the course has offered evening tee times but found that it caused damage to the courses and presented dangerous situations where golfers weren’t able to see.  Darkness also impeded workers’ ability to police the course, and in some cases, patrons left garbage behind, Dubs said.

Heat helps Oasis pool, but rain hurts

Oasis Water Park saw increased numbers during the heat wave, but several rainy days hurt attendance overall.  Either way, revenues for the pool facility are in better shape than they were last year, according to the Treasurers’ Report Summary.

The July 23rd storm that brought more than six inches of rain in three hours caused power outages and resulted in minor flooding, but did not do any major damage to any district facilities, said Finance Director Tom Elenz.

Iceland bookings are filling up 

Looking ahead to the fall and into winter, the Iceland skating rink facility will be booked solid with leagues and reserved ice time, said Marty Stankowicz, General Manager and Hockey Director.  Summer camp times were extended due to demand, Stankowicz added.

“Everyone wants ice and I don’t have it,” he said.

Grennan Heights Fieldhouse wrapping up renovation

The final phase of the Grennan Heights building renovation is underway, and all projects will be complete by the end of the month, Park Board Commission President Ray Czarnik said.

Monthly Treasurers Report

(prepared by the Niles Park District)

See the .pdf accompanying this article.