District 204 renovating nine playgrounds as part of $20 million summer construction plan
Indian Prairie Unit District 204 officials aim to renovate nine elementary school playgrounds as part of a $20 million construction plan.
Matt Shipley, the district's chief school business official, detailed for school board members the summer projects that follow a $10.5 million capital improvement investment made last summer.
Combining the 2022-23 and 2023-24 budget years, Shipley said, the $20 million will focus on deferred maintenance needs and projects supporting the long-term master facility plan being developed.
In addition to the playground renovations, District 204 will perform paving and concrete work at 13 locations, roofing at four schools, flooring at 10 schools and HVAC projects throughout the district.
While Shipley didn't provide financial details, he said a grant secured by state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr will pay for a large portion of the playground work.
"It's a plan we're really excited about," Shipley said. "We get to talk about something that our students are going to get to see and engage with on a daily basis."
The playground renovations will occur at Brookdale, Clow, Cowlishaw, Kendall, Longwood, Owen, Patterson, Spring Brook and Watts elementary schools. Shipley said playgrounds at other elementary schools will be renovated over the following two to three summers.
"Hopefully, this process is a successful one, and we'll follow a similar process for the remaining buildings," Shipley said.
Maria Blood, a project manager with Upland Design, said the schools and community are providing input, partially through an online survey that will include specifics about types of slides, swings and other equipment.
The bid approvals will occur over the next three months. Equipment will be ordered in March, and construction is slated to begin in June.
"For as old as it is, I do give props to you guys for maintaining the condition that it is in for the heavy use and love that it gets," Flood said. "But it is way past its useful life, and this is where we're at today in replacing that."