New bid for Elfstrom work nears approval

A Kane County Forest Preserve Commission panel on Friday recommended approving a $10.7 million bid for renovations to Elfstrom Stadium.

That bid, submitted by Palos Hills-based Skender Construction, was the lowest of the four presented to the forest preserve commission's executive committee. The other three ranged from $11.4 million to $11.8 million.

It's the fourth time bids were solicited for the project, which will overhaul the 17-year-old Geneva ballpark that's home to the Kane County Cougars.

When bids came in much higher than expected the first three times, officials from the forest preserve and Cougars signed an agreement that will allow the Cougars to sell naming rights to the stadium to raise revenue for construction.

The Cougars' rent also will increase incrementally every four years over the next 16 years, going from the current fee of about $1 million annually to more than $1.3 million by 2024.

Both sides said they hope to finish renovations in time for the start of the 2009 season. The project already has been delayed once.

"We've got an aggressive construction schedule," said Forest Preserve Commission President John Hoscheit.

The forest preserve commission is expected to approve the bid Feb. 13.

The forest preserve district, which owns the stadium and rents the space to the Cougars organization, has committed $5 million to the project. The renovation will add a second-level seating area and other amenities to the ballpark.