“After four years of construction and more than a decade of advocacy, the Riis Park Fieldhouse is finally complete.
“Neighbors and elected officials celebrated the $13 million renovation project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday. The fieldhouse, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave., was built in the 1930s and is a part of the 57-acre Riis Park. Improvements included a new teen room, upgraded art room with a kiln, rehabbed lobby and auditorium, elevator, concrete ramp, new roof and gutters, masonry repairs and landscaping. Construction on an outdoor water spray pool is slated to be completed this June.
“The field house renovation was part of the neighborhood’s years-long push for a new elementary school. Neighbors began advocating for the school around 2013 as the area’s youth population rapidly grew and many local schools became overcrowded, Lopez said.
“As part of the school project, officials sought tax-increment financing (TIF) to also renovate the aging field house. The City Council approved that TIF in early 2021.
“Cathy Scienski has lived near Riis Park for 42 years, but the park has been a part of her family for much longer.
“During the Great Depression, Scienski’s grandfather worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps and helped build the Riis Park pool. Scienski said her children played basketball at the park and went to preschool in the field house. Scienski still takes her grandchildren to Riis Park when they visit.
“‘The park’s been a big part of our lives,’ Scienski said. (DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 4/1/25)