Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: April 2026

With the passing of the August 2023 Bond, and the 2018 Sinking Fund, Berkley Schools teams are busy planning for upcoming construction projects and monitoring current construction projects. Because both Bond and Sinking Fund projects are ongoing, these monthly updates will include details on both.

 

The April update includes construction updates on Angell, Pattengill, Rogers, Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Center, Black Box Theatre, The BEAR Complex project, BHS West Gym, Pool, Norup and Anderson Team Rooms and Tyler Park. Many projects are making outstanding progress. Be sure to read through the whole update and see the photos of the work!   

 

These monthly Bond & Sinking Fund updates will be maintained on the District’s website. See below for updates on the projects that are taking place in 2026.

 

Bond & Sinking Fund Projects - Phase I & II Timeline

The following is an estimated timeline. These dates may change due to the nature of construction including weather delays, supply chain delays, etc. 

 

• Complete: BHS Pool Construction, Phase I
• Complete: BHS Science Wing Construction
• Complete: Burton Multi-Purpose Addition and Gym
• Complete: Robotics Spaces at The Den
• Complete: Pattengill Multi-Purpose Addition and Gym
• Complete: Burton Field Renovation - Open to the public end of May
• Underway: BHS Performing Arts Center (Auditorium, Black Box Theatre, Instrument Commons)
• Underway: The BEAR Complex
• Underway: BHS Pool Construction, Phase II
• Underway: The Den Construction for Adult Transition
• Underway: Angell & Rogers New Additions and Sitework
• Underway: Tyler Park Project
• Underway: BHS West Gym
• Underway: Anderson and Norup Team Rooms
• Spring & Summer 2026: Anderson, Norup & BBB Gyms, Locker Rooms at Anderson and Norup, AMS Foods Classroom, Hurley Field Phase II, AMS Parking Lot Expansion, BHS Courtyard Construction

 

Project Updates

Black Box Theatre/Choir Room - Bond

The Black Box Theatre/Choir Room is being added to complete the Performing Arts Wing. The space will be used during the day for choir classes and after school for performances and rehearsals, to complement the auditorium. 

Construction Update:

• Outside, the crews are working to complete the entrance overhang.
• Finished lights are being installed.
• Ceiling grid installation continues.
• The wall finishes and curtains are expected to be installed in May.

Performing Arts Center - Bond

Construction Update:

• Electrical work continues.
• The dressing room remodel work is nearly complete.
• The wood paneling around the stage is nearly complete.
• The sound baffling in the auditorium lobby is being installed.
• The stage floor painting is in progress.
• The new sound booth work continues.
• Work has begun for the stage rigging system to prepare it for the new digital wall that will be installed as part of the upgrades.
• New auditorium drapes will be installed at the end of April/early May.
• The auditorium seats will arrive in early May for installation.

Phase I: BHS BEAR Complex - Bond

The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex) is a 60-yard indoor field house that includes a new weight room, team room and trainer room, an outdoor 120-yard turf performance field with lights, parking lot expansion and new configuration and a grass field north of the turf field. 

Construction Update:

• Roof installation has begun on the field house on the North side.
• Outside wall panel installation is complete.
• Crews are preparing the foundations for the concrete columns along the perimeter to attach to the new fence.
• Site electrical work has begun to prepare for the outdoor field.
• The Bond team is also working to finalize the new weight room equipment that will be installed in The BEAR fieldhouse.

The Den - ATP and Robotics - Sinking Fund

The Den will house the Adult Transition Program (ATP) and Robotics programs. 

Construction Update:

• The Den is busy with construction.
• The roofers have installed about 75% of the new roof.
• Site contractors have installed the underground water detention system.
• The lower level plumbing work has wrapped up. All pipes have been replaced and concrete has been poured to level the floor.
• The new retaining wall has been installed on the north side of the building.
• The elevator is being installed over the next two weeks.
• New lighting is being installed in the lower level.
• The Robotics team season has ended and the team has moved out. Now contractors can work full days to complete the site and interior work.
• Until The Den is ready, the Adult Transition Program has relocated to Berkley High School.

 

BHS Pool: Phase II

The BHS Pool has entered Phase II of the planned updates. This work is mostly on the mechanical side. The pool filtration system is being replaced, a UV filtering system is being added, the tile inside of the pool itself is being repaired, sandblasted and regrouted, and additional work will take place in the mechanical room.

 

Construction Update:

• After doing an analysis of the pool tile and support system, it was determined that much of the pool tile will need to be replaced. Due to timing and cost, the District opted to repair the broken tile areas this summer, and next summer will do a full tile replacement.
• Work continues in the mechanical room with lighting and system installations.
• Adjustments were made to the HVAC system to better control the humidity and temperature.

Angell Multi-Purpose Addition - Bond

Angell’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building at the south side, facing the playground. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. Angell’s gym is also receiving a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling. In addition, during the summer months, the old kitchen area will be renovated along with the attached offices.

Construction Update:

• The masons are working fast at Angell, constructing walls of the new addition. The footprint is now fully outlined.
• Finish brick is starting to be installed over the cinder block.
• Steel installation has also begun and will continue for the next few weeks.
• Angell’s addition has a target date of opening in Fall 2026.

Rogers Multi-Purpose Addition - Bond

Rogers’ new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition will be attached to the building in the courtyard on the west side of the building, facing the playground. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. Rogers’ gym is also receiving a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling. In addition, the remaining courtyard area will receive an update.

Construction Update:

• The brick work and roofing is complete.
• The floor inside the addition was poured and with a completed roof, the mechanical, electrical and plumbing work can move at a faster pace.
• Rogers’ addition has a target date of opening in early Fall 2026.

Bid Pack 5: Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB & Hurley Field - Spring/Summer 2026

The Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB and Hurley Field project includes updating the school gym floors, paint and equipment at AMS, Norup and BHS as well as renovating the locker rooms and team rooms at Norup and AMS. Hurley Field work includes updating team rooms, restrooms, field lighting, replacing the visitor bleachers, adjusting flow and fence lines, a new scoreboard and expanding the parking lot to improve available spaces as well as traffic flow. In addition, the work includes replacing the gym floor at Berkley Building Blocks, and upgrading the BHS West Gym with air conditioning, lighting and new paint and a renovation of the kitchen space in the AMS Foods Room. The BHS Pool will undergo mechanical work, too.

BHS West Gym

• The West Gym floor is covered and demolition of ceiling items has begun. Contractors removed the system that held the wrestling mats, extra basketball hoops, gym divider and the wall material above the fabric divider.
• All items on the walls have been removed.
• The District's environmental partner NOVA identified asbestos containing material in the gym roof support system. The team will safely abate the asbestos while students are not in the building on May 4 and 5.
• Once the asbestos is removed, the construction team can resume preparing the roof for additional weight from the air conditioning unit.

Norup & AMS Team Rooms + Locker Rooms

• The team rooms at Nourp and AMS have been demolished.
• At Norup, walls have been installed to separate the team room from the boys locker room. After hours work will begin mid-May.
• Renovations continue to make progress.
• Locker room renovations will begin after school ends.

BBB Gym

• The BBB gym floor will be replaced once the school-year program ends.

Hurley Field Phase II

• Construction fencing has been installed along the visitor bleachers from Catalpa to the field. Removal of the visitor bleachers will begin May 4.
• Staging in the grassy area next to the parking lot will begin mid-May.
• The construction on the parking lot expansion will begin after school is over in June.
• Full Hurley construction will begin once school is out.

AMS Foods Room

• Classes will relocate soon and work will begin on the classroom renovations mid-May.

Roofing Projects - Sinking Fund

 

The District hired a roofing contractor to evaluate all roofs across the District and created a timeline to repair the most urgent needs first. 

• Summer roofing work will take place at Norup and the Administrative Offices.

 

BHS Courtyard Construction

During the current construction, it was discovered that the tunnel running underneath the BHS Courtyard needed attention. After inspections, the decision was made to fill in the tunnel and relocate the utilities that are contained within. This work will take place once school is out in June and is expected to be completed before school begins again in August.

Burton & Tyler Park Fields - Sinking Fund

Burton Field

The District project to improve Burton’s field with its professional partners is nearly complete. The work includes fixing the ponding, replacing the dirt infields with grass infields and preparing the site to have a multi-purpose use as well as include two diamonds to host t-ball games. 

Construction Update:

• The construction fencing will remain in place until the sod has taken hold in the ground. The new sprinkler system has been turned on to continue to support the new grass.

Tyler Park - Sinking Fund

Plans are complete for Tyler Park with City of Oak Park officials. On the District side, a new Varsity softball field will be built with lights, permanent fence, dugouts, stands, scoreboard, bullpens and batting cages. The District property will also have a practice softball/baseball field for middle school students. On the City of Oak Park side, a multipurpose field will be updated to improve the drainage issues. A walking path will also be added to both properties to allow for a full path connecting the parking lots to the fields and for the community to enjoy. On the District side of the property a small restroom facility will be built as well.

Construction Update:

• The underground utilities are wrapping up.
• The foundations are starting to be poured for the dugouts and stands.
• Light poles installation has begun.

District Facilities Assessments

The District Bond Team is currently having a wide-scope assessment of many systems and spaces. This will allow the team to understand the highest facility needs outside of the current Bond and Sinking Fund scope, to be paid for with Bond savings and projects coming in under estimates. The team will focus on maximizing the remaining budget to have the highest impact on system efficiencies and student and staff experiences. Integrated Design Solutions has completed their walk throughs and will present the District Bond team the full report in June.

Furniture and Fixture Upgrades

• The Board of Education approved the last phase of furniture recommendations at their April meeting. Finishes have been finalized and orders will be placed for a mid-August delivery and installation.

Technology

• Additional call switch installations are 90% complete.
• Burton, Norup and Pattengill’s PA upgrades are complete. Angell, Rogers and BBB are in the pre-test phase.
• The District will be upgrading its firewall as part of the Bond work. The Board approved the vendor and work at the April meeting.
• All gym and media center sound systems are being upgraded as part of the Bond. That work has started and will continue to follow the construction of building additions and construction timelines.