Neighbors got a first look at a $5.7 million plan to renovate the lower level of Douglass Park’s fieldhouse, including updates to bathrooms, locker rooms, and community spaces on March 25.
Funded primarily through tax increment financing (TIF) secured by Alderman Monique Scott, the project builds on ongoing efforts to modernize the park and address long-standing water damage, while incorporating input from North Lawndale and Little Village residents through participatory budgeting and community engagement.
“Over the past few years, the Chicago Park District has invested $13 million in Douglass Park in cooperation with various funding sources. Additional fieldhouse improvements are planned for 2026, following several upgrades completed in 2025,” said Kathryn Thomas, senior park manager at the park district.
In 2025, several upgrades were completed, including a water main replacement, roof work on the Copper Towers rehab project and a new liner for the outdoor pool. Looking ahead, planned improvements include repairs to the gymnasium floor and ceiling, with the project already assigned to Capitol Construction and expected to move forward soon. The renovated gym floor will resemble the auditorium’s current flooring at Douglass Park and will feature updated striping for continued sports use.
“In addition to internal repairs, we will be making several site improvements throughout Douglass Park. We have already completed an assessment for lighting upgrades and will be replacing the outdoor poles to improve lighting. The project is expected to begin in summer 2026, as soon as materials arrive,” Thomas said.
Thomas acknowledged community concerns about tree trimming, noting that work began in the winter and will continue throughout the year in a way that protects tree growth and bird migration. She added that other ongoing improvements at Douglass Park include pool liner repairs and a $400,000 renovation of the fieldhouse’s upper towers.
“The total budget for this project is $5.7 million, with $1 million coming through a state grant. The lion’s share is $4.7 million in TIF funding secured by Alderman Monique Scott specifically for the lower level at Douglass Park. Once that funding was secured, a design contract was authorized by our board late last year, and the design team has already been in the building working hard on the schematics,” Thomas said.
Thomas said the project has a focus on addressing persistent water intrusion in the lower level of the fieldhouse. The goal is to identify how water is entering the building and properly seal it so future structural and cosmetic repairs are not compromised. However, final repair costs remain uncertain until an engineering report determines the source of the issue.
Partnering with the State of Illinois will be a major boost to the park building once water issues are resolved. Key areas of the existing floor plan include the spiral staircases, adjacent vestibules, upper-level promenade and access points to the pool and equipment room.
“The major structural portions of the building must remain in place. The staircases and vestibules will not be moved, and the pool filter room, pool equipment room, boiler room, and this section of storage must also stay. Additionally, the sewer and plumbing lines, particularly those serving the men’s and women’s restrooms, must remain in their current locations,” Thomas said.
The architects and engineers were tasked with reviewing the building’s various structures, including staircases, plumbing and sewer lines, the pool filter system and HVAC systems. They assessed what could stay, what could be relocated or resized, and how the renovations could improve the building’s overall flow.
“This is a new dance room for the facility. The women’s and men’s toilets and locker rooms have been upgraded. There is also a single-user toilet and shower designed for families or individuals with disabilities who need extra space or assistance from a caregiver,” Thomas said.
After reviewing multiple iterations, Thomas believes this layout maximizes every usable inch of the lower level of the fieldhouse.
“As these plans are further developed, we will return to the community with more information. We wanted to share our ideas for the space as quickly as possible and explain what the structure allows us to do, given the realities of the situation. We are also waiting patiently to determine the best way to address the water intrusion into the building, and once that information is available, it will guide the process much more efficiently,” Thomas said.