Understanding the growing need for additional park space in the Township, Supervisor Steve Smouse, and Bill Ahlers, Business Manager at Antioch High School thought an OSLAD grant (open space grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources) could be possible for Antioch Township as we had no park land at the time. Supervisor Steve Smouse applied for the OSLAD grant on behalf of the Antioch Township and we were fortunate to receive a grant of $698,000.
With the help of a land donation from Waste Management and the OSLAD Grant, Antioch Township was able to obtain a total of 70 acres of park land, 40 acres located off of Depot Street which will be named the Tim Osmond Sports Complex, in memory of Tim Osmond who served as Township Supervisor and Illinois. State Representative and 30 acres off Grass Lake Road which will be named the Vern Thelen Park, in memory of Vern Thelen whom we all know was a wonderful contributor to Antioch Township.
At this time, we have formed a cooperative agreement between the Township and the Village of Antioch (Antioch Coop) to incorporate the Village property which was donated by Waste Management and the Township property off of Depot Street to build the Tim Osmond Sports Complex. The Coop has hired a 3-D Design Studio from Grayslake who has extensive experience designing sports parks and working with landfill sites. We are currently in the process of applying for another OSLAD Grant for the development of the park which will include football fields, baseball fields, soccer fields, a cross country track along with parking and a concession stand. We are also working with Antioch High School who is developing the adjacent 80 acres to incorporate the cross country track through some of their property.
It is our hope to raise funds for this project through community donations, cooperative donations, and hopefully another OSLAD Grant. This will be a project that will serve all of us and the generations to come.
Steve Smouse
Antioch Township Supervisor
On September 27th, 2009, the Tim Osmond Sports Complex hosted Viking Footballs Homecoming and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Dignitaries from Antioch Township, the Village, Lake County Board, Viking Football and State Representative Jo-Anne Osmond were in attendance. The event was to kick off the Viking Football Season and to show case the new concession stand, score boards, and bleachers that were generously donated to the community by Viking Football. It truly shows what can happen when community organizations like Viking Football, in conjunction with Antioch Township and The Village can accomplish for the youth of our community.
Tim Osmond Sports Complex is an 80 acre park on Depot Street just west of Little Silver Lake. It is an attempt to build a park through grants and donations from community organizations, for their use and for future generations. The first phase resulted in the construction of 2 Football Fields, 1 Baseball field, Sledding Hill. Tot Lot, Cross Country Track and a Frisbee Golf Course. The majority of the funds were acquired through a land donation from Waste Management and an OSLAD Grant from the State of Illinois. The Grand Opening for Phase 1 was April 19th, 2008.
Township and Village officials have already submitted the proper paperwork for a second OSLAD Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Stimulus money secured by State Representative JoAnne Osmond in order to continue with Phase 2, of The Tim Osmond Sports Complex. If the funds are granted we possibly could have up to $600,000 for Phase 2.
The current plan for phase 2 will include aother Baseball Field, 2 Soccer Fields, 2 Bocce Ball Courts, a Storage and Restroom Facility, and utilities to existing structures (sewer, water, electric). If the funds allow there is a plan to try and increase the parking area.
Although the country is currently experiencing tough economic times, it is tribute to the strong sense of community that we continue to receive donations from community organizations. We would especially like to thank Raymond Chevrolet, Antioch Senior Center, Antioch Lions Club, Viking Football, Antioch Youth Baseball, American Legion Auxiliary, Antioch Junior Women’s Club, Antioch Rotary Club, Rainbow Girls, Antioch Chamber Of Commerce, and The State Bank Of The Lakes along with the Alfred & Florence Pedersen and Tim Osmond Families for their generous donations.
The park is currently being built through a coordinated effort of a Co-Op Board that consists of both Antioch Township and Antioch Village Trustees who meet, make decisions and bring their ideas back to their current Boards for approval.
We will continue to accept donations and are planning a brick paver fund raiser.
If you have a fund raising idea or would like to contribute please feel free to contact us.
It’s amazing that without raising anyone’s taxes our community is building an 80 Acre Park in the center of the community that will eventually consist of:
7 baseball fields, 2 soccer fields, 2 competition football fields, 2 practice football fields, Tot lot, sledding hill, cross country trail, 2 bocce ball courts, and an 18 hole Frisbee golf course.
Please take the time to visit the sports park, we think you will be very pleased. This is a project that will serve all of us and the generations to come.
On April 19th, 2009 we had our grand opening of the Tim Osmond Sports Park with over 100 residents and local officials in attendance. State Representative Jo Ann Osmond and her family presented a $10,000 check toward the fundraising efforts on the second phase of the park and Antioch Your Baseball presented us with a check in the amount of $5,000. Also on May 13 th we received another contribution from the Antioch Junior Woman's Club in the amount of $600.
We also want to thank the organizations and businesses in the community that have contributed to this worth while project:
On Saturday, May 3 rd member of the Antioch Rotary Club spent the morning spreading all the mulch around the playground equipment, so the playground is ready for use.
We are in the process of applying for our second OSLAD Grant and working on our fundraising efforts for the second phase of the park. Please take the time to visit the sports park, I think you will be very pleased with what we have accomplished for the children of our community.
We would like to thank the following organizations for their contributions to the Timothy H. Osmond Sports Park:
Raymond Chevrolet has donated a Convertible SRR Pick Up Truck and the Antioch Chamber of Commerce has donated one years worth of gasoline, which is being raffled off at the Taste of Antioch on July 23rd. Tickets are $20 dollars each and can be purchased at the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, Osmond Insurance, and State Bank of the Lakes.
John Edgell
Steve Turner
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