On Tuesday night, Community High School District 117 administration and board members cut the ribbon of the new field house by crossing the indoor track's finish line . The event was attended by members of our school board, district and building administration, the building’s architect, contractors, Mayor Dominic Marturano of Lindenhurst, and Mayor James McDonald of Lake Villa,
After 18 months of planning, construction crews broke ground in February of 2020. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and delays in the supply chain, however, they remained on target to finish the building before the start of of the 2021-22 school year. The 70,000 ft2 addition to the north end of Lakes is hard to miss. The state-of-the-art facility includes a 200m track, separate runways for pole vault and long jump, a shot put ring, 20 basketball hoops, seating for 1500 spectators, and four regulation courts for basketball, volleyball, and tennis. The digital display board is also hard to miss. The 53’ x 27’ screen can function as both a scoreboard and HD video board. The field house mezzanine, which includes tables and a concession stand, extends off of the LCHS cafeteria.
In his remarks delivered at the event, CHSD117 Superintendent Jim McKay underscored the impact this will have on the community. “This building was created out of necessity for the needs of our students now and in the future. The days of our student-athletes practicing until 10pm are done.” The facility will be utilized by students at Lakes and Antioch. Superintendent McKay thanked the board for having the foresight to “pursue a vision to build something that we are going to grow into over time. Students are going to make their own memories in here for years to come.”
District 117 Facilities Manager Ken Mlincsek, ACHS Principal Eric Hamilton, Board Members Bart Winkler and Bruce Pagni, LCHS Principal David Newberry, Assistant Superintendent - CSBO Jennifer Hoppen, Superintendent Jim McKay, Director of Human Resources Aryan Haren, and Board President Wayne Sobczak
Kurt Rowells, Director of Extracurricular Activities
Jim McKay, CHSD117 Superintendent
Jennifer Hoppen, Asst. Superintendent CSBO
Jennifer Hoppen, Asst. Superintendent CSBO
ACHS Athletic Director Marni Polakow and LCHS Athletic Director Matthew Rife
CHSD117 Board President Wayne Sobczak