Park district awards contract for demolition of Palatine Stables

The fate of the Palatine Stables was officially sealed Monday evening, when the Palatine Park District board hired a demolition firm.

With only Commissioner Sue Gould voting no, the park board awarded the contract to Strategic Demolition & Excavation of Elmwood Park for an amount not to exceed $133,500.

Gould motioned to table the vote, but did not receive a second.

Last year, the board voted to close the stables, located near Northwest Highway and Dundee Road. The property, built in the 1950s, was privately owned until 1988, when Palatine Park District acquired it.

The park district cited the need for comprehensive repairs and enhancements to meet regulatory standards, estimated to exceed $2.6 million.

The decision sparked outrage at the closing of programs for children and the displacement of horses. Protesting a decision they viewed as hasty and unnecessary, members of the public packed subsequent park board meetings but failed to move the board to reverse its decision.

Monday’s meeting only brought two members of the public out to speak.

One cited disparities in repair costs before the board decided to demolish the stables, the other was more blunt.

“There’s a place in Hell for you guys,” Palatine resident Frank Skorski said, arguing the board was letting down girls, parents, grandparents and special education children. “I’m sure they’re warming up the coals.”

Park District Executive Director Ben Rea said there is no set date for demolition. He said utilities have to be disconnected first.