Work to start in May on new, expanded bleachers at Lake Zurich High School football stadium
Work is scheduled to start in mid-May on new bleachers with expanded seating as part of an overall $2.8 million improvement package for Lake Zurich High School's football stadium complex.
Seating capacity on the home side will jump from 1,200 to 2,471 with the new setup at Mel Eide Field. Lake Zurich Unit District 95 officials have yet to formally commit to including 50-yard-line chair back seats that have been sold as an annual fundraiser for the Lake Zurich Quarterback Club boosters.
Capacity will remain at 600 for visiting fans who sit on the stadium's east side. In all, nearly 3,100 football fans will be able to get a seat.
District 95 board member Kathy Brown and other officials said they have long heard from residents about the need to improve the stadium, which dates to the 1970s. Brown said the entire community will benefit from the project.
“This is a significant amount of money,” Brown said before a 7-0 vote in favor of the plan at last week's District 95 board meeting. “And I don't think any of us have undertaken this lightly at all. And we realize it's a lot of money. We've put ourselves in this position to be able to spend this amount of money for upgrades.”
District 95's assistant superintendent for business and operations, Victoria Cullinan, said Boller Construction of Waukegan will start work May 18. Boller's contract requires final completion by Aug. 31.
Still to be decided is the possible installation of contoured, molded “blue seats” so the Quarterback Club can continue with its major fundraiser.
Quarterback Club boosters have been selling 300 to 400 of the reserved prime seats at varsity home football games for $15. District 95 officials said a preliminary plan to add 300 chair backs can be accomplished after the stadium work starts.
“With the bleacher (chair back) seats, we haven't yet had a conversation with the Quarterback Club,” District 95 Superintendent Michael Egan said.
Quarterback Club President Chris Dyer didn't return a message seeking comment Friday. Dyer told District 95 officials at a January meeting the group not only helps the football team, but it also has provided financial support to the marching band and has helped to pay for a Lake Zurich High School weight room.
In addition to the bleachers, the $2.8 million project will include new fencing around the stadium and regrading the girls varsity softball diamond to eliminate a left-field hill in the complex.
Before the 2014-15 academic year, the school district completed about $1.2 million in stadium complex upgrades. That work included a new synthetic playing surface, drainage improvements and the creation of a stormwater detention area.