HUMBOLDT PARK — The 85-year-old Humboldt Park Field House will be getting a $1.7 million makeover this summer, something park stewards said it desperately needs.
Construction will begin after the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and will cover everything from the underground plumbing to the roof.
Humboldt Park Advisory Council President Amy Vega said the building has been plagued with leaks in the ceilings, crumbling masonry and a basement that frequently floods.
"All of us [on the Humboldt Park Advisory Council] are absolutely delirious," she said. "It's been a while since the field house has gotten some serious TLC."
Chicago Park District spokeswoman Marta Juaniza outlined a long list of repairs included in the project:
"The work at the Field House includes, but is not limited to, replacement of roofs and inlaid gutter systems, repair/replacement of exterior concrete and masonry, replacement of deteriorated steel lintels and shelf angles, sealing of veranda perimeter, window repair and restoration, door replacement, replacement of leaking plumbing lines, clearing of underground drain lines and interior plaster repairs related to water leaks," she wrote in an email Wednesday.
Vega said the repairs can't come soon enough, as this year's rainy season has jeopardized musical instruments stored in the basement for the youth music program.
"Every time it rained it flooded," Vega said. "I had poor Willie [Garcia, park music director] running down the stairs to grab the instruments donated for the music program."
The field house, which blends Georgian and Tudor architectural styles, was completed in 1928, according to the park district.
An audio tour about the history of the field house, and just about every other Humboldt Park feature, can be found here on the park district website.
There's even a downloadable map for those who want to listen as they walk around the park.
The field house will remain open while repairs are made, though a completion date has not been set.
