Founders Center Gym Reopens For Programming

FRANKFORT, IL — After damage was discovered in the Founders Community Center gym earlier this year, the gym was taken out of service for all programming. Now, after several months, the Frankfort Park District said the gym has reopened.

Over the past several months, engineers conducted a structural review, and found that there was damage to two out of the four wood bow string trusses in the gym roof system, according to the park district.

Repairs to the structure were finished in December.

The scope of work included repairs to the two damaged wood trusses and steel rods installed on all four trusses, the park district said. The trusses span 80 feet, which is the length of the gym. Before the repairs, the trusses were in closed soffits with acoustic insulation on the ceiling.

“In order to have the gym open for upcoming programming, consideration to make repairs to the ceiling will be conducted later," Executive Director Gina Hassett said. "The gym is crucial for programming including special events such as the upcoming Fairytale Ball and Craft Fair, without the gym we must reduce the number of attendees."

So far, the project has cost just under $300,000.

"The costs of the unbudgeted project have resulted in current and future capital projects being delayed," Hassett said.

The Park District anticipates additional costs for repairs to the ceiling, acoustic insulation and tuckpointing damage on the exterior of the building.

According to the park district, there are more immediate repairs needed at the aging Founders Center. The cast iron plumbing needs replacement, several roofs need to be replaced, and the parking lot needs resurfacing.

The project costs are being evaluated so that the facility can be maintained while there are opportunities to seek alternative funding to repair or construct a new facility, the park district said.

The Founders Community Center was formally the Frankfort Middle School, and the gym was constructed in 1959. Portions of the school were constructed in the 1940s and additions added in 1959 and 1969.

The Park District administrative offices and programs have been housed at the Founders Community Center since 1997 when it acquired the property from District 157-C.