Centennial Park (Champaign)
| Centennial Park | |
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Centennial Park Entrance Sign
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Map of Centennial Park
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| Location | Champaign, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 40°06′02″N 88°17′02″W / 40.10056°N 88.28389°WCoordinates: 40°06′02″N 88°17′02″W / 40.10056°N 88.28389°W |
| Area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| Elevation | 725 feet (221 m) |
| Created | 1959 |
| Operated by | Champaign Park District |
| Status | Open all year |
| Sholem Aquatic Center | |
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Water slides at the park
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| Slogan | "Your Place to Play!" |
| Location | 2005 Sangamon Drive Champaign, IL 61821 |
| Owner | Champaign Park District |
| Previous names | Sholem Pool |
| Pools | 2 pools |
| Water slides | 3 water slides |
| Children's areas | 2 children's areas |
| Website | homepage |
Located in the western part of Champaign, Illinois, Centennial Park is the second largest park operated by the Champaign Park District. Land for the park was acquired in 1959 for an estimated cost of about $161,800. Since its acquisition of the land, the park district exchanged 5 acres (2.0 ha) of the park to Champaign Unit 4 School District in return for the land for Morrisey Park. Currently, Champaign Centennial High School and Jefferson Middle School sit within the park. The campus was designed by Professor Karl Lohmann.
The park features 8 lighted tennis courts, 1 lighted baseball field, 5 additional unlit baseball fields, 1 soccer field, and 1 basketball court. Additionally, the park contains a playground and Centennial Hill, which is used as a sledding hill during the winter months.
In 1976, the center was dedicated as the Bicentennial Center in honor of the United States' Bicentennial anniversary. However, the center was rededicated as its current namesake in 1984 to honor former park district commissioner Patricia H. Leonhard.
The Rec Center includes a full-size gymnasium, an air-conditioned activity space, locker rooms, and offices.
The park district announced in 2012 that the 35-year-old building will be replaced with a $5 million complex in the spring of 2014. Ground was broken on the project on July 3, 2013. The new complex will feature a geothermal heating and cooling system, a key feature that the current recreation center is lacking. Furthermore, the new rec center will feature the following:
The new building will also host special interest classes, and sport and fitness programs. It will also continue to host the park district's summer programs for children.
Originally dedicated as "The Meeting Center" when the facility opened on May 2, 1968, the Besnan Center houses the administrative offices for the Champaign Park District. The center was rededicated on May 9, 1984 after park commissioner Donald F. Bresnan for its current namesake. Additionally the Board of Directors' meetings are held at 7pm on the second Wednesday of every month.
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Wikipedia