Skokie Playfield’s Turf Fields to Open By June 17

Skokie Playfield’s two new turf fields are expected to open by June 17, in time for softball leagues to start, Terry Schwartz, executive director of the Winnetka Park District told the Chicago Tribune.

In the past Schwartz has said the new synthetic fields are expected to be a revenue producer, with a group already agreeing to a six-year contract to use the field, which could generated between $80,000 and $90,000 annually.

The $13 million Skokie Playfield Master Plan project includes adding four new baseball fields and two synthetic turfs; redesigning the parking lot in front of the Tennis Center and the administrative office at 540 Hibbard Rd; renovating A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center at 530 Hibbard Rd. and improving stormwater drainage.

The new stormwater drainage has already proven successful after the April 18 storm and stored 4 million gallons of water after that storm; had it not been for the improvements, Schwartz says the golf course might still be closed, the newspaper reported.

Some $5 million of the project costs will be funded from a 2011 revenue bond that will be repaid over 20 years from the district’s operating income, the remaining costs will be funded from the district’s reserve or will be paid from the district funds, the district website said.