Summer construction ahead in Dist. 214

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 is preparing for a summer full of construction and maintenance projects at nearly all of its six high schools.

The board discussed plans for summer projects approved earlier in the year and an update on what maintenance has gone on so far at its Thursday meeting.

Several of the district’s high schools, including Buffalo Grove, Prospect and Rolling Meadows, will be getting new synthetic-turf football fields over the summer. Each field will cost about $1 million, but the cost will be split with the local park district or another organization. Construction will begin in late May or early June and be competed by Aug. 10.

The tennis courts at Buffalo Grove High School will also be resurfaced and have additional fencing installed as District 214 will be using them for the state tennis finals next year. Wheeling High School’s tennis courts will also be repaired and recoated over the summer, according to the update.

Science labs and office space will be updated at John Hersey High School and work will begin in June.

In May the board will consider a carpet replacement project for Buffalo Grove, Hersey, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling high schools. Elk Grove and Prospect will not be getting new carpet this summer because of the amount of extensive other updates going on in those schools.

Elk Grove High School will receive the most major upgrades over the summer as the $15 million sound abatement project progresses. A majority of the construction for the project will take place over the summer, according to the update.

Although the district has to pay for the project upfront, it will be reimbursed through federal and state grants. Superintendent Dave Schuler said Thursday the district received the first reimbursement check this week for more than $600,000.

Elk Grove will also be substantially updating its front foyer, redoing its concession stand and replacing parts of the school’s flooring.

“Elk Grove is going to have a great year, lots of big improvements coming their way,” said Jim Perkins, board president.

Board members were impressed by the update and said they looked forward to a productive summer across the district’s seven main buildings.

“It’s amazing to see what gets done on a year-to-year basis,” said board member Bill Dussling.

District 214 is the second-largest high school district in the state.