The Bensenville Park District announced during a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners on June 3 that it planned to open the Bensenville Water Park at noon Tuesday, June 9, provided there are no additional weather or construction-related delays.
The board voted 5-0 to authorize an expenditure not to exceed $20,000 for the repair project, which district officials estimate will cost approximately $10,000.
Work continues to progress at the facility. The water park's diving well has been filled, and the zero-entry pool is currently being filled while final repairs are completed.
During the meeting, Executive Director Joe Vallez provided an update on the repairs, explaining that an expansion joint must be replaced and a waterproof membrane installed. The issues stem from the expansion and contraction of the pool's subsurface as well as the age of the facility.
To better understand the source of the problem, the park district hired a third-party engineering firm to core the nearly 50-year-old pool basin at several locations. The investigation identified areas of movement within the subsurface that contributed to the repairs currently underway.
"Our staff, consultants and contractors have worked diligently to identify the issue and implement a solution that allows us to safely welcome families back to the water park as soon as possible," Vallez said. "While we are encouraged by the progress being made, we also recognize the importance of addressing the underlying conditions to protect this important community asset for years to come."
At the conclusion of the 2026 season, the park district plans to conduct additional analysis of the subsurface conditions and a determination as to next steps will be made based on available information at that time.
The repair project is part of the district's long-term Bensenville Park District 2.0 master plan. Following a comprehensive facilities assessment conducted three years ago, the water park was identified as a top priority for capital improvements. A new pool basin was installed two years ago, and new lighting was added last year. Since that time, however, cracking and shifting have indicated potential issues with the underlying structure.
Once the district completes its evaluation of the facility, officials will develop a long-term renovation plan that could include expanded amenities such as dedicated spaces for birthday parties and corporate outings, along with renovated locker room facilities.
The water park improvements are among several significant investments the district has made throughout the community in recent years. During the past five years, the park district has renovated Breiter-Palm Park, installed a new playground and sidewalks at Arbor Park, completed improvements at Sunrise Park, and made substantial upgrades to White Pines Golf Club and Fischer Farm, where infrastructure improvements total approximately $1 million.
The board also discussed and confirmed the Veterans Park project, which has a final design that has been approved, has gone to public bid and the approval to proceed is pending park district direction. The scope of this improvement includes a dog park, rehabbed building and ADA additions to both the building and train. Veterans Park will be the next park to be updated as part of the BPD 2.0 capital improvement plan.
Additional updates regarding the water park opening and other projects will be posted at BvilleParks.org as they become available.
