Each year, IPRA coordinates a Cooperative Purchase Program on behalf of park districts, municipal recreation agencies, forest preserves, conservation districts, special recreation associations and private agencies throughout Illinois.

The program, the only one of its kind in the field of parks and recreation, is an excellent way for your agency to purchase the items you need at your agency while saving staff time and valuable tax dollars by combining your order with other park and recreation agencies. For example, your agency may only need 100 basketballs…but another agency needs 500 basketballs. The Co-op program allows you to get pricing based on a 600 basketball bulk rate! There are no minimum order requirements!

The savings is an obvious benefit of the program, however, the Co-op program offers other benefits as well. You save time comparing quotes and products. Freight and delivery charges are included in vendor’s bids, so there are no surprises when it’s time for delivery, and Vendors abide by the Local Government Prompt Payment Act” allowing agencies 30 days from receipt of invoice to have it approved and 30 days after approval to have it paid.

Online registration and ordering will begin August 14 on ILipra.org. Information will be mailed to you in early July or contact Heather Weishaar for more information.