About 40 residents of Orland Park attended a village-organized session to share opinions on Centennial Park West and the idea of a performing arts center. Ray Piattoni, the village parks and recreation director, mentioned, “Today is just the kickoff. It’s excellent to start engaging the community, and we aim to involve as many people as possible throughout the project and feasibility study.”
Consultants from Keen Independent Research and Theatre Projects led this meeting. They are tasked with developing a business plan for Centennial Park West and evaluating the costs and benefits of a performing arts center. They outlined a timeline for their work, aiming to present their findings early next year. Participants were encouraged to consider discussion points at various stations set up in the Orland Park Police Department conference room.
Among those attending was 12-year-old Mary Fischer and her mother, Tina Cucci Fischer. They expressed enthusiasm about a potential performing arts center. Cucci Fischer, who manages the Orland Park Children’s Theater program, had to reduce productions since the village cultural center closed in 2024. While grateful for the current space near Frontier Park, it cannot support large performances, restricting participation to 30 and audiences to 100.
Tina Cucci Fischer noted, “We’ve adjusted and negotiated a lot over the years.” Mary, who began community theater at age three, added that better lighting and more space during school productions enhance the acting experience.
Julianna Rubio Slager, from Ballet 5:8, highlighted the demand for a performing arts center. Her dance company hosts 50 dancers from around the world. “Not letting Orland Park have an opportunity to see them is a disservice to our community,” she said.
The Village Board had previously considered a performing arts center as part of the downtown plans. Mayor Jim Dodge emphasized the need for a decision within three years to avoid delays. John Lawler, a board member present at the session, supports the performing arts center to attract more visitors and facilitate classes and performances.
Lawler expressed interest in expert insights regarding Centennial Park West. He criticized the lack of a business plan under former Mayor Keith Pekau. “We know some are unhappy with noise and traffic, and some reasons could be political,” he noted. He also mentioned a 2025 loss exceeding $500,000 as a reason for careful consideration of the park’s use.
The consultants planned to visit concerts at the venue to assess neighborhood noise and visitor experiences. A joint meeting of the village’s commissions and advisory boards also provided additional ideas. Residents can provide feedback via an online survey available at www.orlandpark.org.