History
In December 2015, the St. Charles Park District entered into an annual Intergovernmental Agreement with St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 to manage John B. Norris Recreation Center’s programs, memberships and services beginning July 1, 2016. The School District will continue to own the building, therefore the residency requirements for memberships and daily activities are based upon D303’s boundaries. This partnership is an opportunity for the Park District to expand its recreational services specifically with indoor tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool and a fitness center.
Also in 2015, the John B. Norris Recreation Center celebrated its 40th anniversary. From 1985 to 2015, the facility was operated by a private nonprofit organization. From inception in 1975 to 1985, its operations were managed by the St. Charles Park District.
Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris donated the 70 acres on which St. Charles East High School sits today and made an initial gift of $4.25 million toward construction of a cultural arts center and a recreation center. The recreation center is named for one of the couple’s children.