Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: March 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 March update includes construction updates on Angell, Pattengill, Rogers, Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Center, Black Box Theatre and The BEAR Complex project. 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 Program
• Underway: Angell & Rogers New Additions and Sitework
• Underway: Tyler Park Project
• Spring & Summer 2026: Anderson, Norup, BBB & BHS Gyms, Locker Rooms & Team Rooms at Anderson and Norup, AMS Foods Classroom, Hurley Field Phase II, AMS Parking Lot Expansion
• Winter 2026-27: The BEAR Complex Grand Opening

 

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.
• A door has been installed to connect the Black Box and the performing arts hallways.
• Ceiling tiles are being installed.
• Finished lights are being installed.
• Ceiling grid installation has begun.
• Utility work continues.

Performing Arts Center - Bond

Construction Update:

• Electrical work continues.
• The dressing room remodel work is nearly complete.
• The wood paneling around the stage is being installed.
• The wood accents on the back wall are installed.
• The sound paneling installation is nearly complete.
• The side lights in the auditorium are installed.
• The auditorium lobby has been painted black and wood accents are installed.
• The mezzanine in the shop area is installed and new lights are now in.
• The new sound booth, now installed in the main floor, has been framed, painting has begun and the counter has been installed.
• Work will begin soon on supporting the stage rigging system to prepare it for the new digital wall that will be installed as part of the upgrades.
• Watch Superintendent Francis’ video on his Instagram page, showcasing the Performing Arts Center.

Phase I: The BEAR Complex - Bond

The District Field House project is now named The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex). The BEAR Complex includes 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:

• The steel roof and wall framing is complete.
• The wall panels are being installed on both the north and south sides.
• The ground is being leveled throughout the site.
• The finished brick work is nearly complete.
• The interior floor for the field house is being prepared for next steps.
• The next important step is to install the roof on the field house.
• The Bond team is also working to finalize the new weight room equipment that will be installed in The BEAR fieldhouse.

The Den - ATP and Robotics - Sinking Fund

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

Construction Update:

• Work has been ongoing to improve the heating system.
• The Berkley Schools logos are being installed on the navy blue accents on the tower and back of the building.
• The new roof will be installed as early as Spring Break.
• The lower level plumbing work has begun. Many pipes have been removed and are in the process of being replaced. All pipes that run in the lower level and out to the street connections are being scoped to ensure all work happens while the concrete is open.
• The contractors who are doing the site work have been awarded and the outside work will start during or just after Spring Break.
• The process of installing a new elevator/lift has begun.
• Until The Den is ready, the Adult Transition Program has relocated to Berkley High School.

 

BHS Pool: Phase II - Bond

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, new vent covers are being installed and additional work will take place in the mechanical room.

 

Construction Update:

• The pool has been drained.
• Tile work has begun.
• The vent covers have been replaced.

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.

Construction Update:

• Angell’s new addition now has walls going up. The outline of the new addition is in progress.
• The masons will continue to build the frame of the new addition over the next several weeks.
• Angell will be without power over Spring Break to install a new transformer.
• Angell’s addition has a target date of opening in early 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:

• The decorative brick is being installed on the front of the addition.
• Plumbing work continues inside the building.
• The roofing work has begun, and once complete, the inside slab can be installed.
• Rogers’ addition has a target date of opening in early Fall 2026.
• The sanitary line will be connected to the city’s line over Spring Break. The Rogers community has been informed of this work. This will require a road closure on Oxford from just east of the Rogers parking lot exit to Hamilton. This section of road will be closed for two weeks to have the work completed and for the concrete to cure. Drop off and pick up can continue in the Rogers parking lot. Cars will not be allowed on Oxford between the parking lot and Hamilton. Rogers families should plan alternate routes to drop off and pick up children during the week after Spring Break.

Phase II: Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB & Hurley Field - Spring/Summer 2026 - 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.

Construction Update:

• The new Hurley Field and West Gym scoreboards are ready and have been delivered into storage to be installed once all the work is completed.
• During Spring Break, AMS and Norup Team rooms will have lockers removed, floors patched and a construction wall will be installed.
• The BBB Gym floor will be installed mid-June.
• Work at Anderson and Hurley Field will begin in late April.
• During Spring Break, the BHS West Gym will have floor protection installed, the wrestling mat hoist will be removed and the divider curtain will be removed.
• Work in the BHS West Gym will begin on April 10, and classes will be relocated to allow for the gym to be ready when school begins in Fall 2026.
• At Norup, work will begin after school hours in the Gym starting after Spring Break.

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. The Board of Education approved roofing work for Norup, The Den and the Administrative Offices. The Den work will begin in the spring and other projects happening this summer. 

• Roofing repairs will take place in the areas of the BHS Auditorium and West Gym over Spring Break. 

Burton Field - Bond

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:

• Dugout structures are installed.
• The construction fencing will remain in place until the sod has taken hold in the ground. The new sprinkler system will be tested and turned on once the weather has moved beyond freezing temperatures.

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:

• Tyler Park is under construction.
• The team has installed the underground water detention system, added rocks to the surface to allow for trucks to move around without getting stuck in the mud, construction fencing is up, and neighbors have been notified of the work.

District Facilities Assessments

The District Bond Team is currently having a wide-scope assessment of many systems and spaces completed. This will allow the team to understand the highest facility needs outside of the current Bond and Sinking Fund scope, to be paid for with Bond savings and projects coming in under estimates. The team will focus on maximizing the remaining budget to have the highest impact on system efficiencies and student and staff experiences. Integrated Design Solutions was hired to do this work and will tackle a few buildings each week until the full assessment is complete.

Furniture and Fixture Upgrades

• The final recommendations to purchase furniture for desks for ancillary staff, middle school computer science classrooms, and Norup, Anderson and Rogers offices will go to the Board of Education in April.

Technology

• Additional call switch installations continue.
• Burton and Pattengill’s PA upgrade pre-tests are complete and the switch over is being scheduled. 
• New copiers were purchased District-wide and have been installed.
• The Bond included funds for a phone upgrade and plans are now underway for this District-wide project.