The Fox Valley Park District’s Vaughan Center recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

It’s a bright and majestic landmark today – the Fox Valley Park District’s signature facility. But it wasn’t long ago that the Vaughan Athletic Center was just a gleam in the eye of residents.

The many visionaries are the movers and shakers we all should thank, for the VAC is a shining example of how the Park District and its constituents form a winning team – together.

It began as a simple idea in the late 1990s. A small group of active-minded folks shared with each other their desire for a multi-purpose recreation and fitness facility to serve their growing community.

A groundswell of support grew from it, and soon, their advocacy and visions were being discussed with staff and board members at the FVPD.

Collaboration is a powerful and productive force. By 2002 – with momentum continuing to build – a $33 million referendum was put to residents for a vote to fund this futuristic facility, among other community center renovations (Prisco, Eola) – and the referendum passed with 71 percent approval, a whopping endorsement of support.

Three years of eager anticipation followed. You would go out of your way to travel Indian Trail, just to observe this modern marvel rising from the ground. The sight was awe-inspiring, particularly at night – an adrenalin rush of big-game proportions.

The visually stunning design of the building offers a tantalizing glimpse of the recreation within – a vast montage of window-walls and an easy view of the water park. Seeing the orange slide tube that swirls and curves outside the building and comes back into a plunge pool is enough to excite any family who’s passing by.

This vast, world-class facility – the largest of its type in Illinois – became known as the Vaughan Athletic Center, named in honor of former park district Executive Director Bob Vaughan, who spent 27 years with the Park District and currently serves as Board President.

The center celebrated its 10th anniversary recently. Yes, even brand new fitness centers grow older. The nice thing is that 11,000 members and more than 4 million guests to date – have stayed young, healthy and fit during that time.

When it opened in 2005, the Vaughan Athletic Center was seen as spacious and inviting. It’s lived up to that billing. Now it averages more than 1,000 visitors every day, with 22,000 day passes sold on an annual basis and 15,000 participants who take part in various programs.

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Fox Valley’s busy Vaughan Center marks 10 years of service —