ROCHELLE — At its monthly meeting Monday, the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to its intergovernmental agreement with the City of Rochelle to extend the entities' joint ownership of Fairways Golf Course through the 2024 season. 

The City of Rochelle city council approved its end of the agreement at its Nov. 27 meeting. The city and park district have partnered to own and operate the golf course for the past seven years. The previous agreement expired at the end of the 2023 season. During the next year, a survey will be done to establish a capital improvement plan for the course before a multi-year agreement will be looked at in fall 2024. 

Rounds at Fairways Golf Course have increased in recent years and rounds were over 15,000 in 2023, the highest number ever. 

During the early years of the joint ownership agreement, the city and park district each contributed $75,000 to the golf fund to cover any deficit. In 2022, the entities each decreased contributions to $60,000 due to the improved financial position of the course. In 2023, the deficit was decreased to approximately $40,000 with the remainder of the two contributions being utilized for capital projects.

Bonds

The board held a public hearing for and unanimously approved the sale of $785,000 in general obligation park bonds for expenses in the next year. Board President Tim Hayden said the yearly bond sale has been lowered from the amounts seen in recent years due to current projects and The REC Center bringing in income.

Helms Park

Park District Executive Director Jackee Ohlinger provided an update on ongoing changes at Helms Park as the district looks to revamp it to more of a park district-use. Maintenance crews are currently working on electrical work at Helms Stadium and installing a garage door, following the completion of the roof on the concession stand. The track around the football field will be removed this winter, she said.

The park district's capital committee recently met and talked about larger changes to Helms Park. Public meetings have been held recently on the project to solicit feedback. The concept plan for the site includes the football, baseball and softball fields remaining with continued enhancements, a fitness area on the southern corner of the property near The REC Center, a multi-sport court with a rubber surface for soccer, volleyball and basketball, a universal play space, a skate park on the northeast corner of the property, tennis courts and pickleball courts, a pavilion and restrooms, new parking, batting cages, a walking path and green space. The plans are not yet finalized.

The REC

Ohlinger said The REC Center recently marked its third anniversary since it was completed. Student/senior numbers for December are at 334, after being at 315 last December. Fieldhouse memberships stand at 192 currently, 41 more than last December. Fitness-only members currently stand at 355, which is 107 more than last December.

New hire

Ohlinger introduced the park district’s new superintendent of recreation during the meeting, Jason Schlieben. He is a longtime Northern Illinois resident and has worked for different park districts around the area, holding the superintendent of recreation position at some of those agencies as well. He most recently worked at Kishwaukee Health & Wellness on the Kishwaukee Hospital campus.