Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and several city officials unveiled plans Saturday for a new sports complex set to be built in the Morgan Park neighborhood.
Joined by Chicago Park District Superintendent Michael Kelly, Ald. Matt O’Shea, Sen. Bill Cunningham and Rep. Fran Hurley, Emanuel gathered at 115th and Western to announced plans to build the 55,000 square foot complex, which will feature an indoor ice rink, gymnastics center, meeting and party rooms, viewing areas, offices and locker rooms.
“With this sports complex we are bringing a world-class sports training facility to the community,” Emanuel said in a statement. “We are repurposing property that has been vacant for decades and creating a facility that will promote healthy and active living impacting the lives of residents for decades to come.”
The facility’s 85-foot by 200-foot ice rink will accommodate year-round competitive hockey, figure and recreational skating and will have bleacher seating for 1,200 spectators.
The gymnastics center will host training opportunities and USA Gymnastics competitions and will include a large pit area, in-ground trampolines and public viewing space.
“This incredible new complex will expand sports and recreation opportunities in Morgan Park and surrounding communities,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO Michael Kelly. “State-of-the-art facilities combined with specialized gymnastics and skating programs will give athletes, whether beginner or elite, the opportunity to learn and excel at these sports.”
Construction is slated to begin in the summer of 2014 and is expected to open by summer of 2015.
