BATAVIA – State Senator Linda Holmes is pleased to share that a $2.8 million investment in a community recreation facility has been awarded to serve Batavia, through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

“I’m happy to see the Batavia Park District receive these funds for their project to create a large indoor recreation center,” said Holmes (D-Aurora). “The Callahan Community Center will establish 8,480 square feet for indoor recreation spaces to serve a variety of programs available to area residents of all ages and abilities.”

The park district purchased the former office building in 2021 for this purpose. According to the park district, the center will provide a variety of recreational programming including a community room, a gathering place for active older adults, enrichment programs for children and multi-purpose spaces.

The funding comes from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act grant program, which is part of the ongoing, multi-year Rebuild Illinois capital plan. More than $28 million in state grant funding has been awarded to local governments throughout Illinois for building, renovating and improving buildings or land purchases for public recreational opportunities.

For more information on the Callahan Community Center, visit the Batavia Parks website. For information on the PARC program, visit IDNR’s website.