Oak Lawn approves new parking lot, fieldhouse for OLCHS

By Joe Boyle

An additional parking lot and an athletic fieldhouse has been approved for Oak Lawn Community High School.

Joseph McCurdy, assistant superintendent for Oak Lawn Community High School District 229, gave a brief slide presentation detailing some of the plans for the parking lot and an athletic fieldhouse during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday morning.

The Zoning and Planning Commission had already recommended for a variation to build a parking lot for the school inside the 25-foot building setback at 9400 Southwest Highway.

During the slide presentation, McCurdy mentioned that a fieldhouse would be built along 93rd and Austin near the Performing Arts Center and football field. McCurdy said a renovated parking lot for students had already been built across the street along Austin Avenue.

Additional space would be provided for music and fine art classes, McCurdy said. The fieldhouse would provide fitness rooms and a walking and running track that possibly could be used by the public. McCurdy said those details will still have to be worked out.

The board approved the proposal by a 5-0 margin. Trustee Tim Desmond (1st) was not able to attend the meeting.

“I think it is a great plan,” said Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd). “It will make Oak Lawn Community High School a jewel. It would add to the educational and aesthetic value.”

According to the plan, a traffic light will be installed to allow for students and teachers to use by entering and exiting onto Southwest Highway. McCurdy said they want to alleviate excess traffic along 93rd Street up to Southwest Highway.

Mayor Terry Vorderer was also delighted with the improvements destined for Oak Lawn High School.

“And what’s really great is there is no added property taxes for homeowners,” the mayor said.

McCurdy agreed, stating that the funds are coming out of money put aside by District 229.

Construction will begin next summer, McCurdy said. He added that the fieldhouse should be completed in 2025.

Santa visits Oak Lawn

Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd) said that “Santa on the Green” will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Village Green, between Raymond Avenue and 52nd Avenue. The line opens at 11:30 a.m.

Special appearances will include Frosty the Snowman, Princess Elsa and Olaf, Elf the stickwalker, and the Grinch. A food truck will be available. Performances by the Sward School Choir and the Pilgrim Faith Church Choir will also take place.

Guests will meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and kids once again can have their pictures taken with Santa. A North Pole mailbox will be available.

“I just want to invite everyone to the Green and meet Santa,” Vorderer said. “It will be a lot of fun.”

Decorating contest

During the Nov. 14 meeting, winners of the first Oak Lawn Halloween Home Decorating Contest were awarded. The “Most Creative” was Timothy Smith, “Smith’s Grove Cemetery.” The runner-up was Sarah Bandemer, for “Bandit’s Way.”

The “Most Frightfully Fun” was Rick and Care Herpich, for “Krazy Korner.” The runner-up was Jakalynne Gosnell, for “Gruesome Graveyard.”

The “Judge’s Favorite” was Sarah Janiszewski, for “Haunted Barrnes.” The runner-up was Jeanie Oakes, for “Coven on Brandt.”