PEKIN, Ill. – Randy Price is looking to build a community gym in Pekin that would feature basketball courts, volleyball, concerts, and even a walking track for the winter months.
Price envisions the gym as a place where kids of skill levels can come and play sports they enjoy, which in turn would bring families closer together.
“We want to give a chance to kids that, no matter how you play, you’re going to get to play. And then you’re going to get team spirit. And on top of that, the parents get excited, and they interact with their kids. And our belief is that America needs more of that,” Price said.
Price planned the gym for parcels of properties he owns on the 300-block of Court St. He says that location would also be a boon for the downtown area, noting that when traveling teams come to Pekin and need things to do and places to eat.
But the city council last month didn’t approve a site plan for the gym, over concerns of where stormwater runoff would go.
Price says the new direction is to try an idea discussed last year with the previous Pekin City Manager.
“My goal right now is to build it on 2nd, is where my goal is right now, if we can do this land deal,” Price said.
Price says it is possible in the future to have gyms on Court St. and 2nd St., but he wants to build one and see how well it performs.
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