Bond Work & Sinking Fund Project Update: November 2025
With the passing of the August 2023 Bond, Berkley Schools teams are busy planning for upcoming construction projects. In addition to the Bond projects, the District has a list of Sinking Fund projects that are also in the works to improve and update our facilities. The Sinking Fund was approved by voters in 2018. Because both Bond and Sinking Fund projects are ongoing, these monthly updates will include details on both.
The November update includes construction updates on Angell, Burton, Pattengill, Rogers, Berkley High School’s Performing Arts Center, Black Box Theatre and The BEAR Complex project.
These monthly Bond & Sinking Fund updates will be maintained on the District’s website. See below for updates on projects that are taking place in 2025-2026.
Bond & Sinking Fund Projects - Phase I Timeline
The following is an estimated Phase I timeline for the 2025 projects. These dates may change due to the nature of construction including weather delays, supply chain delays, etc.
- Complete: BHS Pool Construction, Phase I
- Complete: BHS Science Wing Construction
- Underway: BHS Black Box Theatre Construction
- Underway: The BEAR Complex Construction
- Underway: The Den Construction
- Underway: BHS Auditorium Construction
- Underway: Burton & Pattengill - New Additions, Gym Remodel, Playgrounds, Parking Lots
- Underway: Angell & Rogers New Additions and Sitework
- Underway: Burton Field Renovation
- Spring 2026: BHS Performing Arts Center Grand Opening (Auditorium, Black Box Theatre, Instrument Commons)
- Spring 2026: Tyler Park Softball Work Begins
- Summer 2026: Anderson, Norup, BBB & BHS Gyms, Locker Rooms & Team Rooms at Anderson and Norup, Hurley Field Lights and Rest Rooms, AMS Parking Lot Expansion, BHS Pool Phase II
- Late Fall 2026: The BEAR Complex Grand Opening
Project Updates: Phase I
Burton & Pattengill Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond
Burton & Pattengill multi-purpose/cafeteria additions are nearing completion.
Burton
Burton’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition is attached to the building at the southeast corner of the playground by the gym. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. In addition, Burton’s gym received a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling.
Construction Update:
- Burton’s new addition flooring is being installed, interior painting is nearing completion, vinyl graphics are being installed, sound baffling is complete and soffit work is happening on the exterior.
- The new staff lounge area is complete with additional support from the Burton PTA for furniture.
Pattengill
Pattengill’s new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition is attached to the building at the north doors. It will house a new lunchroom, a new kitchen, storage rooms, restrooms and will be a wonderful space for collaboration. In addition, Pattengill’s gym received a makeover, replacing the floor, backboards, padding as well as painting the ceiling.
Construction Update:
- Interior painting is nearly complete, lights are being installed and windows and doors are in.
- The site has been graded and leveled. The final concrete areas around the addition have also been installed.
- Electrical and plumbing work continues.
BHS Performing Arts Wing - Bond
BHS Parking Update: The BHS drop-off lane is open and a majority of the Sunnyknoll lot is open.
Black Box Theatre/Choir Room
The Black Box Theatre/Choir Room is being added to complete the Performing Arts Wing. The space will be used during the day for choir classes and after school for performances and rehearsals, to complement the auditorium.
Construction Update:
- Windows have been installed, the interior slab is complete, electrical work continues and the ceiling grid is being installed.
Performing Arts Center
Construction Update:
- Electrical work continues.
- Framing is being installed in the auditorium areas for the new sound baffling and wall finishes.
- Framing for the new stage extensions, dressing room remodel and control booth are being installed.
- New lobby addition: Framing is taking place inside the new addition.
- The Orchestra and Band classrooms are complete and the practice rooms soundproof doors have been installed.
BHS BEAR Complex - Bond
The District Field House project is now named The BEAR Complex (The Berkley Education, Athletics and Recreation Complex). The BEAR Complex includes a 60-yard indoor field house that includes a new weight room, team room and trainer room, an outdoor 120-yard turf performance field with lights, parking lot expansion and new configuration and a grass field north of the turf field.
Construction Update:
- Footings for the field house are complete and the masonry structure is complete and being waterproofed at the ground line. The outside brick will be installed soon.
- Steel work is expected to begin in early December.
- Electrical work continues for the Field House interior.
- The underground water containment system is nearly complete.
- The water main tie-in was completed in late November.
The Den - ATP and Robotics - Sinking Fund
The Den will house the Adult Transition Program (ATP) and Robotics programs.
Construction Update:
- The upstairs Robotics area is nearly complete. Painting is done, drinking fountains have been installed, flooring is complete, signage is being installed, network fiber is being installed and storage units, machinery and furniture are being installed.
- The lower level work plan is taking shape to start work in the new year. Work will begin with plumbing line replacements and an elevator/lift replacement.
- Until The Den is ready, the Adult Transition Program has relocated to Berkley High School.
Phase II: 2025-2026
Angell & Rogers Multi-Purpose Additions - Bond - Fall 2025
Both multi-purpose additions will resemble the Burton and Pattengill designs and function, and will have playground or outside space adjustments to accommodate the new additions.
Construction Update:
- Rogers masons have worked quickly to establish the walls and footprint of the addition. Waterproofing and plumbing is also taking place.
- The underground water detention system is being installed at Angell, requiring the construction fencing to expand for two weeks. Once the detention system is finished, the fencing will move back to its original location and foundations will take shape.
- Both have a target end date of early Fall 2026.
Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB & Hurley Field - Bond - Spring 2026
The Norup, AMS, BHS, BBB and Hurley Field work has been bid out and the projects were approved by the Board of Education in November. The project includes updating the school gym floors, paint and equipment and renovating the locker rooms and team rooms at all three facilities. Hurley Field work includes updating team rooms, restrooms, field lighting, flow and fence lines, a new scoreboard and expanding the parking lot to improve available spaces as well as traffic flow. In addition, the work includes replacing the gym floor at Berkley Building Blocks, and upgrading the BHS West Gym with air conditioning, lighting and new paint. The BHS Pool will undergo mechanical work, too. Some of the work will begin in the spring.
Burton & Tyler Park Fields - Sinking Fund - 2026
Burton Field
The District project to improve Burton’s field with its professional partners is nearly complete. The work includes fixing the ponding, replacing the dirt infields with grass infields and preparing the site to have a multi-purpose use as well as include two diamonds to host t-ball games.
Construction Update:
- Sod has been installed over the entire Burton field and the irrigation system has been programmed to keep it growing.
- Fencing for backstops, dugouts and the foul lines have been installed.
- Next, the dugout structures will be installed.
- The construction fencing will remain in place until the spring and the sod has had time to take hold in the ground.
Tyler Park - Softball Field Update
Plans are complete for Tyler Park with City of Oak Park officials. On the District side, a new Varsity softball field will be built with lights, permanent fence, dugouts, stands, scoreboard, bullpens and batting cages. The District property will also have a practice softball/baseball field for middle school students. On the City of Oak Park side, a multipurpose field will be updated to improve the drainage issues. A walking path will also be added to both properties to allow for a full path connecting the parking lots to the fields and for the community to enjoy. On the District side of the property a small restroom facility will be built as well. The plan is to have construction begin in Spring of 2026. The bids have been opened and vendors will go to the Board of Education on December 8 for approval.
Furniture Upgrades
A kick-off meeting was held for the final phase of furniture work to upgrade smaller spaces, desks for ancillary staff as well as Norup and Rogers offices.
Technology
The Technology Team is upgrading the PA systems using Bond dollars. Anderson and BHS are complete, Burton and Pattengill pre-test is complete. As each site gets underway, plans are created to install structured cable and fiber to bring the new parts of the buildings online.
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