MORGAN PARK — Puck drop for the Morgan Park Sports Center is expected sometime later this month.
The new ice rink and gymnastics center at 11505 S. Western Ave. is nearly complete and is waiting on final approval from the city's building department, according to a Chicago Park District official.
An official ribbon-cutting has yet to be scheduled, but area residents can expect programming at the new center to begin on Sept. 14 — the same day fall activities will begin at facilities across the park district, the official said.
Additionally, a message recently posted on the park district's website alerted users to be on the lookout for classes and other happenings at the new center.
"Programming Schedule for Park No. 577 Sports Complex (Beverly-Morgan) is expected to be available in late August. Please check back at that time," the online notice reads.
Going forward, park patrons will be able to register for programs at the center like any other facility within the system, such as Kennedy Park, Ridge Park or Mount Greenwood Park, the official said.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the 64,000-square-foot center was held on July 16, 2014, and early estimates pinned the opening this July. A harsh winter and several other unforeseen issues are to blame for the delay, the park district official said.
Still, officials are hoping an extended open house period will be available ahead of the start of official programming. This time is intended to allow curious residents to tour the facility and give the management company an opportunity to fine-tune procedures and best practices.
Both Mount Carmel High School and Marist High School are slated to start their hockey season at the new center on Sept. 1. The St. Jude Knights Hockey Club is also expected to consume a considerable about of ice time at the center for its youth leagues.
The center was built on a pair of long-vacant lots on the northeast and southeast corners of 115th Street and Western Avenue. The 2.5 acres of land housed a grocery store and adjacent gas station in the early 1980s.
Tax increment financing funds as well as money from the state and the park district are being used to pay for the project the $18 million project.
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