A section of the structural support beam holding up steel ductwork in the Oak Park and River Forest High School Field House was recently found to be failing. It will be repaired over the summer.
The problem was discovered after a portion of the cement roof over a section of the bleachers fell to the ground last month, said Tod Altenburg, the school’s chief financial officer. The ductwork, which runs along the bleachers, is located in a crawlspace above the cement roof. The damage was caused after one of the anchor bolts attached to the support beam failed, detaching from the cement holding it in place.
After a further investigation of the area, no other beams were found to have structural damage, Altenburg said, adding that the beams have been there for many years.
The school is contracting with two firms, The Luse Companies and CMM Group Inc., to repair the structure for roughly $45,000 and $25,000 respectively. The contracts were approved by the District 200 Board of Education on May 22.
The area slated for repairs is relegated to a section above the balcony, Altenburg said.
The issue with the supports, he added, would not have prevented the Field House from hosting last weekend’s commencement ceremony if bad weather forced the graduation inside. That section of the balcony would have been blocked off from spectators, Altenburg said.