In 2012 The Vernon Hills Park District (VHPD) began investigating opportunities regarding new facilities for their Parks Maintenance Staff and Equipment. The goal was to establish 15,000 S.F. of space in a strategic location that would give them immediate access to the Vernon Hills Parks.
The VHPD worked with the Village of Vernon Hills to identify a suitable site which met the established criteria and offered economic benefits for the VHPD moving forward. The site existed as undeveloped land, adjacent to the Canadian National Railroad to the North and Park District land to the South. Critical drainage conditions existed with the site’s relationship to the Seavey Ditch and regional stormwater detention areas. Sustainable drainage applications have been designed in the form of a 730 foot long bio-swale and 5,400 S.F. rain garden to treat site stormwater run-off before it reaches the Seavey ditch and downstream stormwater ponds and creeks.
Initial building shell designs included metal, masonry, and precast concrete. After budget and life cycle considerations were reviewed, the project team determined that the greatest short and long term value for this facility would come in the form of a precast concrete shell. The result is a building that was constructed quickly, at a high quality level, and one that will perform well with low maintenance needs for many years.
