WEST ROGERS PARK — The Indian Boundary Park field house, which was badly damaged in a fire more than a year ago, reopens to the public on Dec. 29, officials said.
An open house and celebration is planned for the new year, on Sunday, Jan. 5.
The field house, at 2500 W. Lunt Ave., has been closed since a fire heavily damaged the Chicago landmark in May 2012.
"Great steps were taken to ensure the refurbished [field house] retains all the beauty and grace of the original design," said Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) in a statement.
Silverstein announced the Jan. 5 "grand reopening" celebration, which will include "historical tours of the building as well as musical entertainment and refreshments," from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. A "ribbon cutting ceremony" is planned for 3 p.m.
The field house was built in 1929 and designed by Clarence Hatzfield, one of the city's most prominent architects of park buildings of the 1920s, according to the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society.
Dramatic gables, a window bay topped by stone battlements, an Indian head sculpture above the main entrance and stone lions are among the highlights of the Tudor Revival structure.
It was designated a city landmark in 2005 and is also listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
The field house would be nearly 100 percent rehabilitated, except for the iconic, intricate chandeliers once found in its auditorium, which will need another month of work before being reinstalled, Chicago Park District architect Stephen Grant said earlier this month.
Negotiations with the park district's insurance company delayed the restoration efforts, he said.
Residents can also visit the field house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 29, then 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 30 and Jan. 2 and 3.
