Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: December 2025

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 December update includes construction updates on Angell, Burton, Pattengill, Rogers, Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Center, Black Box Theatre and The BEAR Complex project.

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 2025-2026.

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
• Underway: BHS Black Box Theatre Construction
• Underway: The BEAR Complex Construction
• Underway: The Den Construction
• Underway: BHS Auditorium Construction
• Underway: Burton & Pattengill - New Additions, Gym Remodel, Playgrounds, Parking Lots
• Underway: Angell & Rogers New Additions and Sitework
• Underway: Burton Field Renovation
• Spring 2026: BHS Performing Arts Center Grand Opening (Auditorium, Black Box Theatre, Instrument Commons)
• Spring 2026: Tyler Park Softball Field Work Begins
• Summer 2026: Anderson, Norup, BBB & BHS Gyms, Locker Rooms & Team Rooms at Anderson and Norup, AMS Foods Classroom, Hurley Field Lights and Rest Rooms, AMS Parking Lot Expansion
• Late Fall 2026: The BEAR Complex Grand Opening

Project Updates

Phase I: Burton & Pattengill Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond

Burton

Burton’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition is attached to the building at the southeast corner of the playground by the gym. It contains a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. In addition, Burton’s gym received a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling.

Construction Update:

• Burton’s new addition flooring is completed, interior painting touch up is nearing completion, vinyl graphics are installed, sound baffling is complete and soffit work is happening on the exterior. The kitchen is nearly complete and work is being finalized on the roof. Clocks, PA, phones and cameras are very close to being done as well.
• The final inspections are taking place and the construction team is working through punch-list items. Burton expects to open in January. An official date is not ready, but it will be announced by the Burton principal once the open date is finalized.

Pattengill

Pattengill’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition is attached to the building at the north doors. It contains a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. In addition, Pattengill’s gym received a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling. 

Construction Update:

• Interior painting is nearly complete, lights are installed and windows and doors are in. 
• Kitchen work and flooring installation should start in the next few weeks.
• Electrical and plumbing work continues and tile is being installed in the restrooms.
• Clocks, PA, phone, cameras and door access will be installed over the next few weeks.
• The Pattengill gym floor striping will take place over Winter Break.

Phase I: BHS Performing Arts Wing - Bond

Black Box Theatre/Choir Room

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:

• The ceiling grid, lights and drywall are being installed.

Performing Arts Center

Construction Update:

• Electrical work continues.
• Framing is being installed in the auditorium areas for the new sound baffling and wall finishes.
• Drywall for the dressing room remodel, control booth and office/ticket booth is being installed.
• New lobby addition: Drywall and HVAC installations are taking place.
• A new electrical transformer is being installed outside the band room.

Phase I: BHS 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:

• Steel work is being installed. The west side steel frame is complete, the north and south sides are nearly complete and the east side is going up. The side panels are expected to be installed in late January.
• The finished brick work is starting to be installed over the masonry.
• Electrical work continues for the Field House interior.
• The underground water containment system is complete.

The Den - ATP and Robotics - Sinking Fund

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

Construction Update:

• The upstairs Robotics area is complete and waiting on final inspections and equipment installation. This is expected to take place over Winter Break.
• The lower level work will begin in the new year with plumbing line replacements and an elevator/lift replacement, and once the ground is thawed, the outside water retention work will commence.
• Until The Den is ready, the Adult Transition Program has relocated to Berkley High School.
• New signage has been installed on the building.

Phase II: 2025-2026

Angell & Rogers Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond

Both multi-purpose additions will resemble the Burton and Pattengill designs and function, and will have playground or outside space adjustments to accommodate the new additions. 

Construction Update:

• Rogers masons continue to frame the new addition and steel has started to be installed. Waterproofing and plumbing is also taking place. Site utilities are in place inside the site fence line. Masons will also start installing the finished brick over the next month.
• Angell’s underground water detention system was installed and the construction fencing moved back to its original location. The footings for the new addition are being installed as is site utilities.
• Both have a target end date of early Fall 2026.

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

The Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB and Hurley Field work has been bid out and the projects were approved by the Board of Education in November. The project includes updating the school gym floors, paint and equipment and renovating the locker rooms and team rooms at all three facilities. Hurley Field work includes updating team rooms, restrooms, field lighting, replacing the visitor bleachers, 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. Some of the work will begin in the spring and all is expected to be completed by the end of the summer break.

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 new irrigation system has been winterized.
• The dugout structures will be installed in the new year.
• The construction fencing will remain in place until the spring and the sod has had time to take hold in the ground.

Tyler Park - Softball Field Update

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. The plan is to have construction begin in Spring of 2026.

The bids have been opened and vendors were approved at the December 8th Board meeting. The City of Oak Park has also approved the vendors at the December 15th City Council meeting.

Furniture and Fixture Upgrades

A kick-off meeting was held for the final phase of furniture work to upgrade smaller spaces, desks for ancillary staff, middle school computer science classrooms, as well as Norup, Anderson and Rogers offices. In addition, the District purchased a new piano and bass for the music department. At the high school, work is being finalized to expand the school store and include a new display space.

Technology

The structured cable and fiber has been installed at Burton and The Den with Pattengill on deck. This work brings the new spaces online. Burton and Pattengill’s PA upgrade pre-tests are complete and under review. The District is opening bids for eRate projects on December 19. These projects include network electronics, fiber and structured cable for Angell, Rogers and The BEAR.