Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: October 2025

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 October update includes construction updates on Angell, Burton, Pattengill, Rogers, Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Center, Black Box Theatre and The BEAR Complex project.

 

These monthly Bond & Sinking Fund updates will be maintained on the District’s website. See below for updates on the Phase I projects that are taking place in 2025-2026.

 

Bond & Sinking Fund Projects - Phase I & II Timeline

The following is an estimated Phase I timeline. These dates may change due to the nature of construction including weather delays, supply chain delays, etc. Many of these projects will impact parking throughout the high school campus.

 

• Complete: BHS Pool Construction, Phase I
• Complete: BHS Science Wing Construction
• Underway: BHS Black Box Theatre Construction
• Underway: The BEAR Complex Construction
• Underway: The Den Construction
• Underway: BHS Auditorium Construction
• Underway: Burton & Pattengill - New Additions, Gym Remodel, Playgrounds, Parking Lots
• Underway: Angell & Rogers New Additions and Sitework
• Underway: Burton Field Renovation
• Spring 2026: BHS Performing Arts Center Grand Opening (Auditorium, Black Box Theatre, Instrument Commons)
• Spring 2026: Tyler Park Softball Work Begins
• Summer 2026: Anderson, Norup, BBB & BHS Gyms, Locker Rooms & Team Rooms at Anderson and Norup, Hurley Field Lights, AMS Parking Lot Expansion
• Fall 2026: The BEAR Complex Grand Opening

 

Project Updates

Phase I: Burton & Pattengill Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond

Burton & Pattengill multi-purpose/cafeteria additions are nearing completion.

Burton

Burton’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition is attached to the building at the southeast corner of the playground by the gym. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. In addition, Burton’s gym received a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling.

Construction Update:

• Burton’s new addition windows and doors are installed, interior painting is nearing completion, the kitchen floor is installed, the teaching wall whiteboards are installed, the high bay lights are being installed, drywall is complete and kitchen equipment will be installed in early November.
• The new staff lounge area has new casework, carpet and paint and is almost finished.
• The new parking lot is now open for Burton staff.
• Concrete bollards have been installed to separate the parking lot from the sidewalk into the playground.

Pattengill

Pattengill’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition is attached to the building at the north doors. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. In addition, Pattengill’s gym received a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling.

Construction Update:

• Interior and exterior masonry wall construction is complete. Decorative bricks and the final brick layer is also complete.
• The concrete sitework has begun, pouring sidewalks and walkways. Once the concrete sitework is complete, the site will be graded with soil and leveled.
• Windows and doors should be installed soon.
• Electrical and plumbing work continues.

Phase I: BHS Performing Arts Wing - Bond

BHS Parking Update: The BHS drop-off lane is expected to open very soon. The majority of the Sunnyknoll lot is also expected to open at the same time as the drop-off lane. Students are encouraged to continue to carpool, walk and be respectful of neighbors when parking on the street.

Black Box Theatre/Choir Room

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:

• Steel work is complete for the roofing and overhang structure.
• Plumbing and electrical continue to be installed.
• Windows are on order.
• The interior slab and external sidewalks have been poured.
• The underground work in the parking lot next to the Black Box Theatre is complete and covered back up. Next steps are to complete the asphalt and striping to reopen this lot.

Performing Arts Center

Construction Update:

• Electrical work continues.
• Framing is being installed in the auditorium areas for the new sound baffling and wall finishes.
• Framing for the new stage extensions, dressing room remodel and control booth are being installed.
• New lobby addition: The opening connecting the new and old spaces is complete. Windows and doors are installed to close in the space.
• The Orchestra and Band classrooms are complete and the practice rooms soundproof doors will be installed by early November. 

Phase I: BHS BEAR Complex - Bond

The District Field House project is now named The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex). The BEAR Complex includes 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:

• Footings for the field house are complete and curing.
• Masons are on site and are building the stone perimeter of the field house, the team room, restrooms and trainer room. The masonry work is nearly complete.
• Steel work is expected to be completed in early November to form the structure of the field house.
• Electrical work has begun for the Field House interior.
• The underground water containment system is nearly complete.

The Den - ATP and Robotics - Sinking Fund

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

Construction Update:

• The sitework continues upstairs in the Robotics space. The drywall is nearly complete and painting has begun. New doors are installed, a new fire alarm system is being installed, and electrical work is wrapping up. 
• Work continues to move towards the goal of getting the Robotics team in their new space in November.
• Color panels have been installed on the outside of the property and logos will be installed on them next.
• New signage is in the works for the building and marquee.
• The lower level work is being paused to properly address and fix water issues that arose during the summer construction work.
• Until The Den is ready, the Adult Transition Program has relocated to Berkley High School.

Phase II: 2025-2026

Angell & Rogers Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond

Both multi-purpose additions will resemble the Burton and Pattengill designs and function, and will have playground or outside space adjustments to accommodate the new additions. 

Construction Update:

• Rogers foundations are poured, masons are up next and the underground structure is nearly complete.
• Angell foundations will go in soon after the underground water storage systems are installed. 
• Both have a target end date of early Fall 2026.

Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB & Hurley Field - Bond

The Norup, AMS and Hurley Field work has been bid out and the projects will go to the Board of Education in November. The project includes updating the school gym floors, paint and equipment and renovating the locker rooms and team rooms at all three facilities. Hurley Field work includes updating team rooms, restrooms, field lighting, 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. Some of the work will begin in the spring.

Burton & Tyler Park Fields - Sinking Fund

Burton Field

The District project to improve Burton’s field with its professional partners is underway. 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 field demolition has been completed and field drains and irrigation systems are nearly complete.
• Next up: new fences, dugouts and sod installation.

Tyler Park - Softball Field Update

The District Bond/Sinking Fund team is working to finalize the plans for updating 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 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. The plan is to have construction begin in Spring of 2026.

Furniture Upgrades

Work continues on the Phase 2 punch list and the District team is working closely with professional partners to schedule delivery of items, repair, etc. on all Music, Art, Media, Science Labs (including NIS & AMS) and Resource Room furniture installed during this past summer. The final phase of furniture work is also starting to upgrade smaller spaces, desks for ancillary staff as well as Norup and Rogers offices.

Technology

The Technology Team is upgrading the PA systems using Bond dollars. Anderson is complete, BHS, Burton and Pattengill pre-test is complete. As each site gets underway, plans are created to install structured cable and fiber to bring the new parts of the buildings online.