Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: June 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 June 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, Locker Rooms and Gyms, Hurley Field 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
• 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 Multi-Purpose Additions and Sitework
• Underway: Tyler Park Project
• Underway: BHS West Gym
• Underway: Anderson and Norup Team Rooms & Locker Rooms
• Underway: AMS Foods Classroom
• Underway: Hurley Field Phase II and AMS Parking Lot Expansion
• Underway: 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:

• Display cases in the hallways are being installed.
• Sound systems and finishing touches are being refined.
• The instrument commons lockers are installed and awaiting move-in come August.

Performing Arts Center - Bond

Construction Update:

• Electrical work is nearing completion.
• The new sound booth work continues.
• The stage rigging crew has installed orchestra shells and continues to install the full digital wall at the back of the stage.
• New auditorium drapes are in and will be installed once all the work is complete.
• Carpet installation is complete.
• The new audio/visual components are being installed including a new sound system and a video system that allows the actors to see what’s happening on stage while they are backstage.
• Finish work is nearly complete in the new lobby and backstage dressing rooms.
• Outside, some of the construction fencing has been removed and grass seed installed.

Phase I: BHS BEAR Complex - Bond

The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex) 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 and siding installation is nearly complete, enclosing the building.
• Outside wall panel installation is complete including the translucent panels.
• Site electrical work continues to prepare for the outdoor field.
• Both the field house interior and exterior field areas are being prepared for turf, which is expected to be installed in mid-July.
• Inside the field house, glazing has begun around the window areas, window installation has begun, the cement pad for underneath the track lanes has been poured, and ceiling painting has begun.
• Concrete was poured on the upper mezzanine in the BEAR.
• Masonry is being installed around the main entrance.
• The future parking lot areas are being graded.
• Crews are preparing for sidewalk replacement and curbs are being formed and poured. Asphalt for the parking lot is expected in early July.
• The new scoreboard support has been installed.
• The large planter areas with seating are nearly complete with masonry.

The Den - ATP and Robotics - Sinking Fund

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

Construction Update:

• The roofers are nearly complete.
• New gutters will be installed starting at the end of June.
• Forms are in place for the replacement concrete work around the property and concrete is starting to be poured.
• The ceiling grid is being installed on the lower level.
• Drywall finish work is in progress for the ATP space.
• The exterior regrading is in progress.
• Kitchen cabinetry and countertop installation are up next.
• Tile in the lower level restroom is complete.
• Lower level lighting and ceiling grids are now in place.

 

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:

• The mechanical equipment demolition and replacement is ongoing.

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 on the finish brick being installed over the cinder block as well as the decorative brick on the front of the addition.
• Steel panels on the roof have been installed.
• Plumbing roughins are being installed.
• The staff parking lot demolition is complete and aggregate is ready for paving in early July.
• The new outside ramp has been poured.
• Demolition has begun on the interior spaces that are being renovated this summer: The gym floor has been removed and the walls have been removed from the “pod” office area.
• 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:

• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing and HVAC work continues.
• Windows and doors are being installed.
• Interior painting is taking place.
• Kitchen equipment has been delivered.
• Demolition has begun on the interior spaces that are being renovated this summer. The gym flooring is being removed and the area behind the gym is being demolished to turn it into a space for ancillary staff and a sensory room.
• Tile work around the kitchen area and in the restrooms is in progress.
• Rogers’ addition has a target date of opening in early Fall 2026.

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

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

• A new water heater is being installed.
• Painting is nearly complete.
• The new HVAC unit has been replaced.
• New lights have been installed.

Norup & AMS Team Rooms and Locker Rooms

• The team rooms at Nourp and AMS have been demolished.
• The Norup locker room lockers have been demolished.
• New bathroom partitions have been installed.

Norup Gym

• Electrical work continues to prepare for the new gym lights.
• Norup’s gym had asbestos removal take place prior to the work continuing on the gym floor.
• The old built-in lunch tables in the walls have been removed and will be filled in.

AMS Gym

• The gym floor has been demolished.
• The old built-in lunch tables in the walls have been removed and brick infill has begun.

BBB Gym

• The BBB gym floor will be replaced in July.

Hurley Field: Phase II

• The old field lights have been removed.
• Construction has begun on the underground detention system in the grassy field next to the AMS parking lot.
• Renovations have begun on the Hurley Field restrooms. 
• The bleacher pads are completely poured and in place, and the physical framing for the bleachers arrives on June 26.
• Hurley Field and track is closed to the public for construction. BHS teams may use the field after July 6, following a controlled schedule, but the gates will not be open for public use until the project is complete.

AMS Foods Room

• The kitchen areas were removed and the floor demoed. 
• Crews are working on preparing the space for the new kitchen equipment
• The new vent hoods have arrived.
• HVAC is being installed.

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 is taking place at Norup and the Administrative Offices.

 

BHS Courtyard Construction

The tunnel going across the BHS Courtyard is in the process of being removed.

Construction Update:

• The roof of the tunnel has been removed, and the tunnel has been completely bulkheaded and waterproofed.
• Utilities have been cut and relocated. Once utility placement is finalized, backfill will begin.

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 continue to be installed.
• The foundations are starting to be poured for the dugouts and stands.
• The new scoreboard has been installed.

District Facilities Assessment

The District Facilities Assessment is nearly complete. Integrated Design Solutions is finalizing the report and will present it to the District administrative team in June. The assessment will serve as a roadmap to the next projects and what to prioritize for the Bond savings and Sinking Fund dollars. The team will focus on maximizing the remaining budget to have the highest impact on system efficiencies and student and staff experiences.

Furniture and Fixture Upgrades

• All the final furniture orders have been placed and will be installed in August.

Technology

• Additional call switch installations are 95% complete. The last 5% will be finished along with the building construction.
• AMS, Angell, Burton, Norup, Pattengill, BBB and The Dens’s PA upgrades are complete. Rogers will be completed once the new addition is finished.
• Sound systems are being installed at the Performing Arts Center.
• Fiber and structured cable is being installed and coordinated for The BEAR Complex.
• The technology team is coordinating for the sound systems at The BEAR.
• A firewall upgrade was completed on June 20.
• Color copies were purchased and are being installed in early July for five buildings that did not have access to color printing.
• The Board of Education approved a new District-wide phone system which will be installed in the Fall.