PRESS RELEASE
Batavia Park District 327 West Wilson Street Batavia , Illinois 60510 (630) 879-5235 Fax (630) 879-9537 |
For Immediate Release
Date: February 15, 2007
Contact: Michael Clark, Executive Director, Batavia Park District, 630-879-5235 ext. 2008
Jack Barshinger, Superintendent, Batavia Public School District, 630-879-4600 ext. 4004
From: Allison Pellegrino, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Batavia Park District
Batavia Park District Supports Batavia School District 101 Referendum
BATAVIA - The acquisition of land located south of Main Street is dependent upon negotiations between Mooseheart and the City of Batavia. According to Batavia School and Batavia Park Board officials there is money allocated in the school's upcoming referendum for community performing arts and community recreation facilities, but further planning of these facilities is dependent on the Batavia City Council and the Mooseheart community negotiating a resolution to their differences so that the entire Batavia community can benefit from these facilities.
"The Batavia Park District supports the Batavia School District 101 referendum and the taxpayer friendly, phased-in approach to the development of the Batavia community through facilities for the performing arts and recreation in the vicinity of Batavia High School. If additional land (Mooseheart or otherwise) becomes available, the Batavia Park District and the Batavia School District 101 are prepared to move forward in partnership with joint development of community facilities," Batavia Park Board President Patrick Callahan said.
The Batavia Park Board and the School District 101 Board of Education have agreed that they will no longer continue to move forward with eminent domain proceedings and will take formal action in the near future to rescinding their resolutions to proceed with condemnation. Over the course of eight years, with support from Mayor Schielke and at Mooseheart's invitation, the Batavia Park and Batavia School Boards attempted to negotiate a deal for acquisition of land owned by Mooseheart immediately south of Batavia High School. At this time, with the City of Batavia and Mooseheart striving to jointly prioritize their needs, both the Batavia Park District and Batavia School District are forced to explore other potential land acquisition options.