Part two of Sullivan Community Center expansion approved
During a special meeting Monday, commissioners approved a $2.6 million bid as the second part of an expansion to create a new central entrance/lobby, four preschool classrooms, a second gym and office at the facility on Aspen Drive.
The money was awarded to W.B. Olson, Inc., of Northbrook, which is managing the project. Olson will distribute the money to various subcontractors for roofing, sheet metal, drywall, acoustic tile, ceramic and wood flooring, glass and glazing, fire protection, gym equipment, heating and air conditioning, electrical, painting, plumbing and general conditions.
More than a dozen trades have previously been vetted as the lowest qualifying bidders, according to Jeff Fougerousse, park district's executive director.
Demolition has been completed and exterior walls for the preschool wing and gym are being erected. Roof trusses are scheduled to be delivered next week. The first bid for the $5.7 million project was awarded in April. Fougerousse said a special meeting was needed to keep the flow of work moving, and the next scheduled regular meeting is July 28.
“Now, the general contractor can notify all the subcontractors so they'll be ready to go,” he said.
Work is proceeding at a “reasonable pace” and at the moment is $100,000 below budget, Fougerousse said. That overall budget includes a $250,000 contingency fund.
The goal is have the classrooms done by October and the gym complete by the end of the year.
Early each morning, the construction superintendent walks the grounds to make sure the walkways and other areas are clear for patrons. Some kids' fitness, painting and other classes have been relocated to the Laschen Center and staff is in temporary quarters but other activities continue normally.
Construction has taken out about 75 parking spaces. To ensure public parking is available, employees at Sullivan and the neighboring Family Aquatic Center are parking at the Aspen Drive library to the north and Hawthorn Elementary District 73 lots across the street.
“It just makes things that much easier,” Fougerousse said of the cooperative effort. The parties also have been working with the village on a unified plan for the area.
The Sullivan center, which was built in 1992, will grow from 33,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet once the project is completed.