Aledo, IL – The City of Aledo has been awarded $600,000 in state funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program to provide partial funding for creating an Aledo Aquatics Center.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced the grant recipients on March 1 in conjunction with the Illinois DNR, celebrating the program’s largest distribution of funding in the program’s 36-year history: "The health and wellbeing of Illinoisans sit at the heart of the OSLAD program, and for the first time ever, we've been able to provide 100% of funding assistance to qualifying distressed recipients."
“This grant is an incredible investment towards a community resource that will ultimately enhance the quality of life for all residents,” said Chris Hagloch, Aledo’s Mayor. “The Aledo Aquatics Center is an idea directly responding to community feedback during the Mercer County Heart & Soul process. The OSLAD grant will help us make that vision a reality.”
Announced at an Aledo City Council Meeting in the Fall of 2022, the proposed Aledo Aquatics Center would be constructed near Downtown Aledo, on the site formerly occupied by the Farmer’s Grain & Coal. The proposed facility would include space for swimming, diving and a splash pad for families.
“When we can provide opportunities for recreation, exercise and quality time with families and friends, we are providing real value to the residents of Aledo,” Jarod Dale, City Clerk, City of Aledo, said. “This grant award recognizes the thoughtful planning of this project; today’s announcement is a testament to the vision behind the aquatics center.”
Aledo’s Aquatic Center was named among 118 other park projects throughout Illinois and provides a portion of the costs for “land acquisition and the development for parks and outdoor recreation projects.” City of Aledo officials applied for the grant in September 2022 to fund a portion of the proposed Aquatics Center. The grant covers $600,000 of the $1.31 million needed to create the splash pad & pool house facilities within the larger Aquatics Center project.
Aledo, IL, is an idyllic retreat from routine located 30 minutes south of the quad cities. Founded in 1855, the community has over 3,600 residents. Find It All in Aledo. www.AledoIL.gov