Field Center Construction

A new Field Center is being built! Construction is estimated to be completed in fall 2026.

The old Field Center will remain open throughout construction to allow programming to continue. The 3-5 year old playground and splashpad will remain open as long as the project allows. Scroll for renovation updates and photos.

The existing building was slated for decommissioning in the Park District’s last 10-year master plan, but the demand for childcare has created the need to expand the Center. To identify an architect for the new building, the Park District conducted a design competition. This was a callback to the 1926 design competition that was put on to construct the original Field Center. Learn more about the design competition by clicking here.

See the Field Center Master Plan

Check out the latest updates:

July

South wall nears completion and slab is scheduled to be poured. ComEd has been onsite for electrical installation work.

men in safety vests stand on top of framed out wall

June

Underground plumbing is complete and underground electrical work is underway.

white pipes stick up from the dirt ground

May

Progress is being made on the rammed earth walls.

April

The first wall passed inspection.

first rammed earth wall on the west side of the building, a brown clay looking wall between the plywood frames

April

A mock wall was built and lettering was approved. Underslab work is to begin soon.

mock wall with letter L stamped into the side

blue cherry picker truck sits next to framed out building

a white and red construction vehicle sits next to the building with its arm raised

April

Framing for rammed earth is finalized and a mock wall is being built for review.

corner of field center with wood frames giving way to an opening on the corner

side view of field center with wood frames outlining it

March

Gravel and sand delivery coming soon. Framing work continues.

a look into field center from the side, with wood framing in background

a view of the framed-out field center from the side

March

Wall construction slated to begin mid-March.

exterior of field center with wood frames around perimeter of foundation, ready for walls to be added

two construction workers install frames on top of foundation

February

Framing for rammed earth walls continues.

wood frames on the perimeters of the foundation

laborer in red shirt holds long beam of wood over shoulder while looking at wall frames

corner of building in background with one layer of frames atop the foundation

January

Framing for rammed earth walls is ongoing. Work on the walls will begin in early March. Current work includes pouring the slab and underground work.

January

Backfilled around foundation and added gravel. Roofing details are being discussed.

gravel surrounds concrete foundations with a backhoe in the distance

Click here to watch timelapse.

December

Concrete foundations were poured, and dowels were set.

side view of foundation forms with concrete poured in

construction workers insert dowels into freshly poured walls

concrete truck with long arms deposits concrete into forms

December

Foundation framing and scaffolding completed.

December

Ongoing work on the composition of the rammed earth walls, including color selection, seal coating, and lettering molds.

large letter E and M pressed into brownish red rammed earth wall

November

Foundation walls are being prepared for pouring. Due to pending weather (snow and single digits), the pour has been delayed and will occur once the temps are above freezing and stable.