Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Park District Superintendent Michael P. Kelly, Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Forrest Claypool and Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. today broke ground on a new regulation artificial turf football and soccer field and a baseball diamond in West Chatham Park. The facilities will be used by Simeon Career Academy High School students and the West Chatham Park community.

“Simeon is already an established academic and athletic institution, and both the school and community deserve to be complemented with investments in their athletic programs,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Both the students and West Chatham Park residents will have brand new athletic fields to stay safe, to stay engaged and to stay on track to a brighter future.”

Additional construction will include a new scoreboard, additional sports and site lighting and landscaping.

“I am thrilled that we can give our residents and the hard-working students at Simeon with the high-quality athletic fields they deserve,” said Alderman Howard Brookins, Jr., 21st Ward. “Commitment and determination from our local community leaders and students made these fields a reality.”

The multi-purpose facility will allow for expanded Park District summer sports camp opportunities and host CPS practices and competitive matches for a wide range of sports. The Park District and CPS have worked jointly for more than five decades to offer recreational programming at West Chatham Park and adjacent Simeon Vocational High School.

“West Chatham Park is already a great asset to the community,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Michael P. Kelly. “This investment in the park’s facilities and infrastructure ensures high quality recreational experiences for park visitors and students alike.”

“The athletic facilities in West Chatham Park will help our Simeon students lead healthy, active lives while providing experiences that will instill the invaluable lesson of teamwork,” said Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Forrest Claypool.

The development includes the installation of a new secondary ComEd feed, sports lighting, site lighting, and scoreboard feed as well as tree removals, pruning and site work associated with the relocation of the northeast softball diamond.

The West Chatham Park athletic facilities are located at 8223 S. Princeton Avenue. Construction will cost approximately $3 million and is expected to be complete in August 2018.

This is just the latest of the new artificial turf fields announced by Mayor Emanuel that underscore the City’s commitment to offering opportunities for safe and accessible recreation for children and families all over the city.

This announcement is key to Building on Burnham, the Mayor's comprehensive plan to invest in the Lakefront, the Chicago River, natural areas and recreational opportunities in neighborhoods across the city. The Mayor began the successful expansion of Chicago’s park system in his first mayoral term, which has already added 750 acres of new parkland, 327 new playgrounds and more than $800 million in capital investment from neighborhoods and private sources.

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