Representatives from Legat Architects presented the first high-level schematic designs of the 50-meter pool and aquatic center that was authorized for construction at Oak Park and River Forest High School in April. They also presented a list of critical project milestones leading up to what is anticipated to be an August 2018 grand opening.
Patrick Brosnan, Legat’s president and CEO, said the firm spent the last several months developing the schematic designs. He said members of the design team met with various community stakeholders, including OPRF administrators, student-athletes and teachers, before completing the schematic designs. Brosnan said the design development process should be completed in May 2016.
“[The new pool site] creates a new front door for the campus on Lake Street,” Brosnan noted. “It will be a new image of what OPRF stands for today and in the future.”
Based on the initial designs, pool users will have access to a pedestrian mall to the west and drop-off areas on Scoville Avenue to the east.
Brosnan said his team may also try working some parking into the west side of the site. A bridge will allow students to go back and forth between the main campus and the aquatic center without having to walk outside.
Brosnan said the lowest level of the pool facility will be dedicated to mechanical operations and storage, and accessible by elevator. The main, deck, area will hold support services around the perimeter of the 50-meter pool, locker facilities (potentially for both students and community members) and shower space.
He said a large, dual-use, mezzanine area on the main level could be used for various purposes, such as PE instruction. The dual-use aspect is in keeping with what Legat presenters stressed would be the facility’s flexibility, or its capacity to accommodate a variety of different functions — sometimes simultaneously.
Legat representatives are planning to start demolition of the parking garage in July 2016, with foundation and site work to begin two months later. Construction would take place over the summer and during the school year. Officials are currently discussing ways to minimize the impact construction might have during the school year.
In the meantime, said District 200 board president Jeff Weissglass, the district is in talks with the village of Oak Park on finalizing the acquisition of the parking garage and on coming up with an alternative parking plan.
“[The village] is pushing to try to get the parking plan in place and start moving through the parking approval process before the end of the year, so that layers nicely with what is happening here,” he said.
CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
