Maplewood Park’s $2 million new fieldhouse has broken ground. City officials attending the Aug. 9 ceremony with local residents.
RATIO Architects designed the 3,200 sq. ft structure. The city’s press release did not specify the general contractor and there was no building permit data at the time of this posting for the park’s address at 1640 N. Maplewood Ave. (Chicago Construction News has made inquiries with the Chicago Park District to verify the details.)
The $2 million project has been financed by private donations, $800,000 from the 1st Ward’s discretionary “menu” budget, and an additional $1.1 million from the Chicago Park District, reported Block Club Chicago. Construction is expected to conclude in May 2019.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Park District CEO and superintendent Michael P. Kelly joined 1st Ward Ald. Joe Moreno at the West Town community groundbreaking.
“We continue to make no small plans as we begin building the fieldhouse at Maplewood Park,” Emanuel said in the news release. “Maplewood Park and recreational facilities across West Town provide residents of all ages with places to learn, play and grow as a community.”
“Maplewood Park is a community anchor where families and residents of all ages come together,” Moreno said. “Once complete, this new fieldhouse will continue supporting this community by providing the safe recreational, learning and gathering places that west side residents deserve.”
New fieldhouses, like the one at Maplewood Park, are key components of Building on Burnham, the Mayor’s comprehensive plan to invest in the Lakefront, the Chicago River, natural areas and recreational opportunities in neighborhoods across the city, the statement said. Under the Building on Burnham plan, 985 acres of parks have been acquired and 5.5 miles of waterfront access have been developed since 2011, with continued plans to acquire additional parkland and further develop the waterfront in the coming years.
