Orland Park to acquire Riviera Country Club

The neon sign of the Riviera Country Club at 8801 W. 143rd Street used to illuminate east Orland Park with a warm, lively hum. For decades, it had been a sanctuary of splashing water from indoor and outdoor pools, the rhythmic thwack of tennis balls, and thousands of weekend wedding toasts. 

But by 2021, the music had stopped. Left vacant, plagued by code violations, the massive  107,000-square-foot facility became what local trustees openly called a “blighted eyesore.”

To the residents living on the east side of the village, it was a painful reminder of a disappearing landmark. To the Orland Park Village Board, however, it was an opportunity.

That opportunity came last week when the village board agreed to pay $2.2 million for the property in hopes of turning it into something similar to the Sportsplex it operates on the village’s west side.

“The idea is to provide a multipurpose rec center for the residents living on the east side of town,” said Trustee Bill Healy.  “That property has been an eyesore for years and we were able to get it. “

The turning point came during a series of intense board meetings, where a $40.5 million bond package was secured to revitalize the community, including the allocation for the Riviera. 

The concept was historic: the Village of Orland Park would step in and purchase the property and claim ownership of the massive landmark’s future.

For Trustee John Lawler and east side residents, the acquisition was personal. For years, families on their side of town had to fight grueling rush-hour traffic down 159th Street or LaGrange Road just to get to the west side Sportsplex. Kids were missing practices, and seniors had no place close by for aquatic therapy.

“We don’t have a lot of property left on the east side,” Village Manager George Koczwara noted. “This gives us control of the land first. The plan will follow.”

The board was divided but hopeful. Some critics worried about adding a fourth municipal health club to the village budget, fearing the overlap and high maintenance costs. But the vision of what the Riviera could become kept the momentum moving forward. They envisioned an advanced athletic field house. They imagined replacing the old dirt fields with sleek, weather-resistant artificial turf, building an indoor playground for children, a dedicated senior center, and an adult-focused lap pool to balance out the chaotic, kid-centric crowds at the Centennial Park Aquatic Center.

When the final unanimous vote passed by a 5-1 vote with one trustee absent, a quiet wave of relief washed over the town. The deal was officially done. The village had stepped in, secured the historic grounds, and saved the cornerstone of East Orland from being demolished or forgotten.

But now the hard work was just beginning. 

“We need to come up with a business plan,” Mayor Jim Dodge said. “We want a plan that will take into consideration the ideas from residents, especially those on the East Side. To be successful with this, we need to offer what our residents want there.”