Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: May 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 May update includes construction updates on Angell, Pattengill, Rogers, Burton Field, 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 Multi-Purpose Additions and Sitework
• Underway: Tyler Park Project
• Underway: BHS West Gym
• Underway: Anderson and Norup Team Rooms
• Underway & 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.
• Sound baffling is installed.
• Ceiling grid installation is complete.
• The curtains and curtain tracks will be installed next.
• The instrument commons lockers are nearing completion.

Performing Arts Center - Bond

Construction Update:

• Electrical work continues.
• The dressing room remodel work is complete.
• The wood paneling around the stage is complete.
• The sound baffling in the auditorium lobby is complete.
• The stage floor painting is complete.
• The new sound booth work continues.
• Work continues 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 are in and will be installed once all the work is complete.
• The auditorium seats have been installed.
• Carpet installation is nearly complete.
• Finish work is in progress in the new lobby.

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 installation is nearly complete.
• Outside wall panel installation is complete on both the north and south sides. Wall panels are being installed on the east and west ends, including the translucent panels.
• 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.
• Inside the field house, glazing has begun around the window areas, window installation has begun, flooring is being prepped for turf and track installation, insulation and wall block filler is being installed in the ceiling and the fire suppression system is being installed.
• The outside field is being prepped for turf installation.

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.
• The new retaining walls are complete on both the north and south side of the building and waterproofing continues.
• The elevator shaft was reworked and the new equipment is being installed.
• Drywall is being installed in the new ATP space.
• New ductwork is being installed.

 

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:

• Work continues in the mechanical room in July.
• The tile repair and patching in the pool is complete.

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.
• Steel installation continues to frame the roof in the high bay area. Roofing panels are being installed over the steel structure.
• The vapor barrier was installed on all outside walls.
• The addition floor slab is being poured.
• Plumbing roughins are being installed.
• The Angell parking lot will be redone the week of June 15.
• 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 work continues and HVAC work has begun.
• Windows and doors are being installed.
• The outside pathways are being leveled.
• Drywall will be installed next.
• Rogers’ addition has a target date of opening in early Fall 2026.

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 is complete. 
• Steel reinforcing for the roof is complete to support additional weight from the air conditioning unit.
• Electrical work is taking place to set new light fixtures.

Norup & AMS Team Rooms and 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.
• Locker room renovations will begin after school ends.

Norup Gym

• Electrical work is taking place in the Norup gym after school hours. Electricians are placing conduit and conducting wire condition checks in preparation for the new gym lights that will be installed this summer.

BBB Gym

• The BBB gym floor will be replaced in July.

Hurley Field: Phase II

• The visitor bleachers were removed and the new concrete pad to hold the new bleachers has been poured.
• The old field lights will be removed in June.
• Construction has begun on the underground detention system in the grassy field next to the AMS parking lot.
• Renovations will begin in early June on the home team room and the restrooms located under the bleachers.
• Full Hurley construction will begin once school is out to install new lights and scoreboard, move fencing and create better flow in the stadium.
• Hurley Field and track will be closed to the public starting on June 1 for construction. BHS teams may use the field during this time, following a controlled schedule, but the gates will not be open for public use.

AMS Foods Room

• The kitchen areas were removed and the floor demoed. 
• Crews are working on preparing the space for the new kitchen equipment, including new vent hoods.

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 was removed and students now have access to most of the field.
• Some areas of the grass need more attention to grow evenly. The contractor will fill these areas, reseed and add snow fencing around the area to keep students off to let the grass grow.

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.
• Light poles are installed.
• Crews are grading the site for the dugouts and for the fields.
• Masonry walls will be installed next for the dugouts.

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 90% complete.
• AMS, Angell, Burton, Norup, Pattengill and The Dens’s PA upgrades are complete. Rogers and BBB are in the pre-test phase.
• The tech teams are coordinating installation of systems at both the Performing Arts Center and The BEAR Complex.