Referendum Proposal
The Naperville Park District is considering a $135 million bond referendum for March 2026. Nearly 90% of that funding—about $120 million—would go toward building a massive indoor recreation and aquatic center at Frontier Park located in Southwest Naperville by 95th Street and Route 59. While the land is already owned, the proposed 138,000-square-foot facility would cost around $862 per square foot. Taxpayer approval is required to move forward.
Why We Oppose the Current Plan
The Fry YMCA agrees Naperville needs more indoor recreation space—but not through a plan like this. The Fry YMCA urges the Park District to pause, rethink, and collaborate with partners from across the community. Building a large, expensive facility next to existing ones doesn’t solve the problem—it creates new challenges. We believe there is a better way.
Affordability is Essential to Healthy Living
As a non-profit, the Fry YMCA is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of Naperville’s population. Naperville is a thriving community, but affordability is becoming a concern for more of the population. The proposed facility’s capital cost—$120 million—would place a financial burden on residents, and duplicate facilities and services already available in the area. The District will have limited capacity to add facilities and programming in central and north Naperville, leading to concerns about these areas of town remaining underserved for decades to come.
Get Involved
The Fry YMCA and its Advisory Board encourage its members and Naperville residents to urge the Naperville Park District to reconsider. By taking a pause, the community can explore a partnership model that spreads services across neighborhoods and makes recreation more accessible for everyone.
