OLCHS Dist. 229 Board Approves $40M Budget For New Field House

OAK LAWN, IL — Following the trend of transforming the traditional high school gymnasium into modern fitness centers, the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 Board of Education officially approved construct of a state-of-the-art field house.

This new facility will provide a top-tier space for sports, fitness classes, school-wide events, and
more, offering unparalleled opportunities for both students and the broader community.

“This project represents a significant investment in the future of our students and our community. The new facility will not only elevate our athletics programs, but also provide a versatile space that supports a wide range of academic, extracurricular, and community activities,” D229 Superintendent Shahe Bagsasarian said in a news release. “We are excited about the opportunities this field house will create and look forward to seeing how it will enhance the educational experience for all of our students, while fostering a stronger, more connected community.”

Architectural rendering of the new OLCHS field house

Construction is set to begin in the spring of 2025, with an anticipated completion date approximately 18 months later. The OLCHS field house will include modern indoor athletic facilities, event spaces, and upgraded amenities designed with both functionality and sustainability in mind. The space will be built to accommodate a wide range of activities—from competitive sports and physical education classes to community events and gatherings.

The D229 board approved construction of the field house with a budget of $21.6 million in bonds. The remainder will be funded with money the district has saved over the years for capital improvement projects, Dist. 229 Assistant Superintendent Joe McCurdy told Patch.

“The budget includes architectural, site preparation and utility work; construction management of all permits and fees; and underground water retention including underground storage tanks for rainwater, under the field house parking lot,” McCurdy said.

The field house will be connected to the south end of the campus building along 95th Street. Plans call for eight new fitness rooms and lockers for physical education lockers.

According to Southwestern Surfaces and Equipment, a Florida-based supplier of athletic flooring, equipment and gymnasium flooring, awareness of the importance of physical and mental well-being grows, high school gymnasiums are evolving to promote holistic wellness. Beyond traditional sports, there’s a greater emphasis on fitness training, yoga, dance, and other recreational activities that cater to diverse interests and abilities.

OLCHS is following other area high schools who have updated their athletic and fitness facilities, including Reavis High School in Burbank, which recently completed its new Ted Arnold Field House.

Evergreen Park Community High School has added a third-floor training center, softball and baseball fields, and purchased the former Evergreen Racquet & Fitness Club at 2700 W. 91st St., that now serves as the school’s sports complex.

Similarly, CHSD 218 has bids out for renovation of the high school’s auditorium and the addition of a new field house at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island.

In 2022, Marist High School in Mt. Greenwood bought the former Palos Courts Club in Palos Heights.