I'll take "HELL YES" for a thousand Alex!!!! This is a great opportunity to fix a previous wrong. The last plan to build a rec center never should have been voted down! There has been a great influx of youth into this city and we've brought our money with us. We've improved our homes and properties, and fought to keep and improve our pool/parks and it's happening. Our downtown will be next...we need to start establishing places that draw and keep people in Palos Heights! This proposed recreation center is a great start!

I agree! We do need a new rec center and a fitness center would be a great addition also. I think the last proposal was just way too expensive and lofty and it scared people off, that's why it didn't pass. We cannot compare ourselves to Tinley, they are a much bigger community and have the means to support a large facility. Palos Heights is much smaller and we have very little retail taxes to support it. A better comparison would be Crestwood. It has a very modest rec center that is very well run. They also have many programs and tournament for teens and the guy who runs it knows my kids names by heart and is always happy to see them. We need our teens to be welcomed at our rec center and they should be known by name in their own town, this is what will get support for the new center. Pre school and seniors alone will not be able to support it! If the plans are too large again, this town will not pass it. Good Luck with this, My vote is YES!

The whole community knows we've needed a new rec. center for a long time! I don't think there have been any improvements since it was Crab Orchard! Let's get this done sooner then later.

This is exactly what Palos Heights needs..long overdue. This is a no brainer, and should be aggressively pursued by Palos Heights City Council. The city is surrounded by other communities with newer state of the art facilities. The corner of rt. 83 and Harlem would be a great location if space is an issue. My obvious vote - YES.

The ustream says the video is not available..????

My grandson plays in basketball games at the Lemont park core....Wow what a great community facility. Palos Rec Center...pathetic!

Absolutely! I have been saying this for years. The city should buy the property at the corner of Rt 83 and Harlem and build something awesome up against the Cal Sag and remove the eyesore and turn it into a gem!

Absolutely! Have you looked up at the ceiling of our current rec center gym lately? unsightly and unsafe! YES we are long overdue for a new Rec Center. It would be a wonderful addition to our community. I often go to Lemont and Oak Lawn. It could be a source of revenue to the city as well if we rent out the gym for large events. We have had a surplus revenue for years; it would be nice to actually spend it on the city. I agree that the corner of Harlem/Route 83 would be perfect.

Totally agree! I love the idea of the city buying the property on 83 and Harlem. That would be beautiful! Let's see if the city will actually let this happen....too often good things in this town fail due to all the ridiculous hoops and hurdles that people are put through to develop businesses and the older people who do not want to see change. Every town around us has done drastic overhalls....in order to continue drawing people to Palos change MUST happen! Let's build a new Rec center and start this!!

Yes we do!! A whole lot of families are going to other towns like Crestwood, Orland Park and Tinley to use there updated Rec facilities. They also take their wallets with them and support the businesses surrounding those facilities. A new Rec and Fitness Center would benefit our families and seniors alike. Not to mention support the local business community. Job well done on our new Library and updating our pool. Now is the time for a new Rec Center.

I am in total favor of a new recreation and fitness center. Why do we have to go to other neighboring towns for fitness equipment/health club memberships, open gyms (with rock climbing walls, indoor soccer, basketball, etc). Our son plays in a basketball league at the rec gym-I agree with earlier comments that it is is poor condition and unsafe in areas, not to mention the antiquated playground behind the rec ctr. The rooms in our current facility were obviously not designed for fitness classes or to meet the varies demands of an ever expanding, family community. I feel our community is filled with supporters for this initiative-just tell us what we need to do to get it done!!

with a shrinking commercial tax base and uncertain ecominic future we cannot afford this. will Jewel and Dominicks be in Palos Heights in 5 or 10 years?
Harold Reisler

Yes I think we need a new Rec center. WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK OF THE SAFETY
OF OUR KIDS. RT 83 I think is too BUSY for the Rec center. As it is people blow through stop signs in Palos like it's nothing. Sorry in my eyes our kids SAFETY should come first!!! If they have to cross a busy street not a very good idea.
PEASE KEEP OUR KIDS SAFETY IN YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS!!

But then again what do I know

Where are the Jr kids going to go if they build on Rt 83?? Really if you were a kid would you really walk to Rt 83? Nope didn't think so. Just to go to the teen room or play basketball? I sure would not. Other question would you want your kids to walk that form the Jr. high? Come people lets make some sense here.

NICK<
Different topic, but can we get our resident comic Chuck to post past Wednesday Cartoon "Submit Headline" contest winners and have a tournament. Say for best of 2012? Just an Idea...
I nominate the Sept 26th Chicken Cartoon .

Nick how about posting this on facebook....

A new rec center is a great idea. Should have buillt that instead of the Library we did not need. Our old library was just fine and a nice size. The few times I have been there it is pretty empty. Please leaders keep in mind the spending and what the cost to taax payers will be. If my taxes keep going up I will not be able to feel comfortable. Older folks are on a sr freeze and I sometimes think some of them do not realize what that means for the struggling familes. I am all for keeping the Palos kids in Palos for sports and activities. They should not have to travel far to keep busy and out of trouble. Lets just remember the COST!

@ Keep it Positive
we shouldn’t be attacking someone’s idea because it’s not 100% inline with your thinking HA HA THATS NOT IT AT ALL
Please give me a break do you see the way people drive here so yes I worry about safty and another thing your street lights who is is going to pay for that nice to spend money that we don't have and this is why people are living paycheck to paycheck LIVE WITH IN MAKE DO WITH WHAT U HAVE IM not saying we don't need a New Rec but just fix it the right away not with duct tape

@ keep it positive

I'm not impressed with Palos Rec did you ever notice how many people are gone in the last few years really why a high turn over? You think city hall would look into that but I guess not.

I think a nice 24 hour fitness or Lifetime fitness on 83/Harlem would be better.Those who want it can pay for it then, not every taxpayer. Just a thought. Or why can't Palos Hospital build a nice fitness center like they have way out there in Orland?