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Bucktown's Holstein Park Field House To Finally Get Promised Repair Money

By Alisa Hauser | April 3, 2017 1:23pm
 The Holstein Park Field House in Bucktown.
The Holstein Park Field House in Bucktown.
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DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser

BUCKTOWN —  "The jewel of Bucktown" is finally getting a shine.

Grant money from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and capital funds from the Chicago Park District will be used at the Holstein Park field house for roof repairs and other improvements.

Almost two years since boosters cheered state funding to help repair and upgrade the century-old field house — a structure supporters described as "the jewel of Bucktown" — the money appears to be headed to the well loved and oft-packed Park District building.

The Holstein Park Field House at 2200 N. Oakley Ave. will be one of 20 aging Park District facilities to get a share of $26 million in improvements as part of a new “Save Chicago’s Treasures” initiative announced Sunday by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Park District Superintendent Michael P. Kelly, Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) and elected state officials.

 Thanks to a $1.2 million state grant announced by Gov. Pat Quinn on Saturday, the Holstein Park Field House will see a major renovation beginning in spring 2015.  The total project is estimated to cost $2.1 million.
Holstein Park Field House Renovations
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The state grant funding had been frozen since 2015, but is now available after being released by the state of Illinois, officials said in a news release.

If everything goes as planned, construction will begin this year at some locations, with the expected completion of all projects by the end of 2019.

While the scope of each project varies, planned work involves major rehabilitation, including roof restoration, masonry improvements and ADA accessibility, officials said.

It is unknown yet how much of the $26 million will be going to Holstein Park.

Some $1.2 million in grant money earmarked for the park's field house was first announced in Sept. 2014 by former Gov. Pat Quinn. But that following spring, Gov. Bruce Rauner froze the funding from the state Department of Natural Resources, which was funding the grants.

Initially slated to begin in spring 2015, the total renovation to the field house's roof and upgrades to the locker rooms were estimated to cost $2.1 million.

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) had previously agreed to chip in $300,00 from "menu money" to supplement the state grant, the Park District money and other fundraising efforts by park volunteers.

On Monday, Waguespack said he needs to find out what the total figures are since time has passed.

"I'm sure we'll have to check bids and pricing," Waguespack said.

Maria Mariottini, president of Friends of Holstein Park, a volunteer group that organizes programs and fundraisers at the park said, "Part of the crumbling roof finally blew off last year, there have long been leaks in the building, and the old configuration of space is no longer conducive to today's activities."

Mariottini issued a statement about the funding.

"We do not know exactly what the mayor's announcement means for our park, but we are hoping that it will at least address the pressing items promised to us in the past. One of many urgent needs is repairing the roof, which leaks and causes additional damage to the building," she said.

Mariottini was cautiously optimistic over the announcement.

"While we are very excited, and at the same time are keeping our fingers crossed that funds will not again be taken away from this project that will serve so many. We look forward to helping this project go as smoothly as possible by communicating with our community. It has been a long wait," she said.

Mariottini said "a great number and variety of people" use the park field house. 

"Preschoolers, seniors and everyone in between is served by the staff in, what is often referred to as the "Jewel of Bucktown." While the pool is an apparent feature, there are also dance classes, sports leagues, after school programs, and more," she said.

Waguespack credited State Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) for the push to get the money to the parks. 

"Ann Williams was constantly checking and advocating on progress at the state where the funding was held up since Gov. Quinn's approval of the funds. She deserves a lot of credit for moving it along. It's great to see the funding released so we can get started on these long awaited repairs that have been necessary for health and safety of families," Waguespack said.

Along with the Holstein Park field house, other “Save Chicago’s Treasures” includes the following locations:

Archer Park
Austin Town Hall Park
Columbus Park
Douglas Park
Dvorak Park
Eckhart Park
Fosco Park
Hamilton Park
Harrison Park
La Follette Park
Lincoln Cultural Park
Mann Natatorium
McKinley Park
Palmer Park
Ridge Park
River Park
Robichaux Park
South Side Cultural Center
West Pullman Park