NEW FIELDHOUSE WILL OFFER MUCH-NEEDED PARK SPACES TO MEET GROWING DEMAND FOR INDOOR PROGRAMMING IN THE BELMONT-CRAGIN COMMUNITY
The Chicago Park District, in partnership with 31st Ward Alderman Felix Cardona, Jr., announces plans for the construction of a new park fieldhouse in the Belmont-Cragin community. The new fieldhouse in Cragin Park, located at 2611 W. Lockwood Ave., will replace the 62-year-old existing structure, with a new single-story fieldhouse that includes a half-size gymnasium. When not in use, the gymnasium will be built with the capability to transform into two (2) clubrooms to allow for flexibility of use of the multi-purpose space. A pantry, restrooms, offices, a lobby and storage space to accommodate additional programming and events round out the building’s list of new amenities. In addition to indoor programming space, Cragin Park’s outdoor areas will receive a series of site improvements that include a renovated spray feature, tennis courts and ballfield enhancements. The complete project is backed by $7.1 million in TIF funding provided by the 31st Ward. Construction will begin in early January 2024, and the project is slated to be open in early 2025.
“This new fieldhouse, and it’s multifunctional capacity, is a win-win for the local community! In a park that is already bustling with outdoor activity, the new building will provide additional safe spaces for much-needed indoor, year-round programming for youth, teens, adults and seniors,” said Chicago Park District CEO and Superintendent Rosa Escareño. “Collaboration and funding support from our local representative, Alderman Cardona, was key to bringing this project to fruition.”
“Today, we continue moving forward to improve the 31st Ward by bringing a new fieldhouse to Cragin Park. When I began the journey to seek support from city, state, and federal officials, the dream of a safe space for our youth and a place for our community seemed distant. Now, we are here, and the work has paid off. Soon, the community will come together to enjoy their new fieldhouse, create memories, and build relationships. Let’s continue to move forward together,” said Alderman Felix Cardona Jr., 31st Ward.
From the conception of the project, the Park District was intentional about selecting a local architectural firm to elaborate a design that was mindful of the community and their needs. The designs proposed by Chicago-based STLarchitects delivered on creating public spaces that support meaningful engagement by residents of all interests and abilities.
Additional fieldhouse features include the following:
- The new fieldhouse will be the first Park District facility with dedicated gender-neutral bathrooms.
- The building’s façade will feature EQUITONE fiber cement panels, which is a building panel material that plays with light and shadow to give the illusion of an ever-changing design on the building’s surface.
- Three double swing doors in the gymnasium will open to a playground on the east side of the building to maximize use of indoor and outdoor space during events.