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Plans to convert deteriorating toboggan slides at a Palos Township forest preserve into artificially cooled, winter-long attractions should be ready by the end of summer, Cook County officials said.
The county forest preserve district has sent out four bid packages for the project, and interested companies will meet with county officials on June 19, district Supt. Steve Bylina said. He said the district is looking for vendors who may be interested in operating "not weather-dependent toboggan slides."
The slides in the Swallow Cliff preserve have been closed since 2003 because of disrepair. District officials have said it's hard to justify making the estimated $4 million worth of repairs because the slides need so much snow to operate they can only be open a few times a year.
The district board on Wednesday approved a second request for proposals -- one that more broadly seeks ideas for concessions and amusement facilities in the district. The request seeks "a brief outline of an idea" for anyone who wants to offer recreational services at the district's nature centers, fishing lakes, ski trails or slides.
Forest preserve district officials have previously tried to hire a district-wide concession manager, but contract talks with the sole bidder, Urban Concessions, broke down.
Bylina said the district is seeking the same things this time -- companies interested in offering kite rentals or ski instruction.
"I think we learned something with Urban Concessions," Bylina said. "We're going to take it slow. -- Who knows what good ideas are out there."