Plans for the construction of new larger and more modern performing arts spaces, focusing on music, are coming into view at Oak Park and River Forest High School.
At the Dec 18 OPRF Board of Education meeting, architects presented conceptual plans for Project 3, or what the school is now calling Act 3, of the ambitious Imagine Plan to renovate and modernize the school building.
Project 3, if approved by the school board as seems likely, will center on the southwestern portion of the existing building. There would be new band, orchestra and choir rooms as well as a new black box theater, and some new physical education spaces.
Cost estimates are not yet known; a bond referendum in either 2026 or 2027 might be needed for the financing.
The current band and choir rooms, which were built 60 years ago, do not meet modern educational standards, Anthony Svejda, chair of the OPRF music department and band director, said during the school board meeting.
Svejda said that 60 years ago OPRF’s music rooms were considered state of the art and something that other schools emulated, but those days are long gone. Svejda said the rooms outlined in the conceptual design would be a major upgrade and lead to a vast improvement in the music education experience. The ability to do much more recording would be a game changer.
“With the newly designed and constructed music space, we can implement instructional and assessment practices that are simply not possible in our current facility,” Svejda said. “Recording would become a regular component of ensemble instruction, which is not possible in our current mode. Practice rooms and mid-sized rehearsal rooms would provide structured opportunities for students to work independently or in small groups fostering collaboration, accountability and deeper musical understanding.”
The conceptual plans include two story band, orchestra and choir rooms and a control room with direct access to the band and orchestra rooms.
“A modern recording environment would provide real-world learning opportunities in sound production, song writing and guitar classes offering hands on experiences with professional recording processes,” Svejda said.
The new facilities, which involve the destruction of the 1 West Gym, would include rooms that would allow for more chamber music rehearsal possibilities and include soundproof practice rooms. The wall of the 1 West Gym with murals would be retained.
“A modern, fully accessible music environment ensures that all students, regardless of background, prior experience or resources at home, have an equitable opportunity to develop their skills, find their voice and see themselves as musicians and creators,” Svejda said.
Thoughtfully designed storage facilities would eliminate the need for students to lug large and sometimes heavy instruments up and down stairs or to squeeze them into an elevator.
Anthony Arbogast, OPRF’ head of business services, said providing more music spaces is a major goal of Project 3.
The design was challenging because architects initially planned to enlarge the footprint of the existing building by building out west towards the mall that separates the school building from athletic fields. But they discovered that there is a major ComEd transmission line under the mall and ComEd would not allow any construction on or over the mall. To move the transmission line would cost perhaps $30 million and take as long as four years so that was a non-starter.
Other aspects of the plan and financing
A new black box theater is also planned for the first floor.
The conceptual plans call for building a new adventure gym, cardio room, adaptive PE gym, and multipurpose gym with a basketball court on the third floor. The basement will include a new wrestling room, a new training room, and new locker rooms for members of the wrestling, cross country and track and field teams.
Architects and school officials considered seven options and settled on one. But the plans are still just concepts at this point.
“We should not see the designs we see tonight as a final answer to anything,” said Greg Johnson, OPRF superintendent.
The next step is to develop a schematic design. At its Jan. 15 school board meeting, the school board is expected to approve paying the FGM architectural firm $365,000 to develop a schematic design that should be completed by April. A cost estimate for Project 3 will not be developed until the schematic design is finished. Karin Sullivan, school spokesperson, said it is impossible to even give a ballpark cost estimate until the schematic design is completed.
A timeline presented by the school at the school board meeting states the school board will decide on the scope and budget for Project 3 in April and May of 2026.
Going ahead with Project 3 would probably require getting a bond referendum approved by voters as OPRF’s cash reserves are being spent down on the current Project 2 construction project which is about seven to eight months from being completed. That project includes a new swimming pool and it completely demolished and is rebuilding the southeast portion of the school building.
The school’s presentation lists April 2027, when school board and village elections take place, as a possible referendum date. The school could also possibly put a referendum on the ballot at the November 2026 midterm election but it is generally thought that bond referendums have a better chance to be approved during lower turnout elections.
Board members and school officials say they want to take their time and build something that will serve the school and community far into the future.
“The idea is to build something that will stand the test of time for 100 years,” Johnson said.
School board member Tim Brandhorst said something similar.
“Performing arts are the crown jewel of this institution,” Brandhorst said. “This is a project that [would be designed to last] …for the next 50 to 100 years.”
Fred Arkin, another school board member, was positive about the early presentation.
“They got it. They did it right,” Arkin said. “It aligns with the original concept of the Imagine plan which is needs based, student focused, through an equity lens.”
