Under a clear spring sky and the pulse of a brass band, students, staff and community members gathered Wednesday evening at Alan B. Shepard High School to celebrate the next big step for student athletics and wellness: the unveiling of the school’s state-of-the-art fieldhouse.
The $19 million project to be completed by JP Architects Ltd., at 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., represents a major investment in the future of physical education, athletics and community engagement. Once completed in August 2026, the Shepard Fieldhouse will offer 23,500 square feet of indoor space designed for flexibility, function and year-round use.
“This is more than just bricks and mortar—it’s about creating opportunities,” said Dr. Timothy Baker, principal of Shepard High School. “We’re excited about the positive impact the fieldhouse will have on generations of students.”
Located on the north end of campus and connected to existing athletic facilities, the new fieldhouse will give students a weatherproof space to train, learn and compete. Baker said the project addresses long-standing limitations for winter sports and shared gym space that have forced teams to seek off-site practice locations.
“Currently all of our gyms share the same space,” he said. “When we have home games, other programs cannot practice at Shepard. These teams often have to go off site for practice space. The fieldhouse will allow our programs to stay on campus.”
The new facility includes a 3,950-square-foot weight room and a range of athletic amenities. It will feature a Mondo Valor track surface with three lanes and a 130-meter loop, three basketball and volleyball courts equipped with scoreboards, two batting cages, a long jump pit and a pole vault area.
“The new Shepard fieldhouse is a state-of-the-art facility designed to support and enhance both our physical education and athletic programs,” Baker said. “It provides an expansive indoor space that allows for year-round training, practice, and instruction, regardless of weather conditions.”
Beyond PE classes and team sports, the fieldhouse will also host IHSA postseason events, tournaments and summer camps—opening doors for more community programming and regional engagement.
“This addition represents a significant investment in student wellness, development, and school pride,” Baker said. “It reflects our commitment to providing exceptional educational and extracurricular opportunities.”
District 218 leaders and school board members joined Baker for the unveiling ceremony, where Superintendent Josh Barron and School Board President Carol Kats offered remarks about the vision behind the project and the value of long-term planning in public education.
“We’re grateful for the support of our district, community, and everyone who helped make this vision a reality,” Baker said.
John Barron, superintendent of District 218, said the fieldhouse will be a space where every student can feel welcome and get involved.
“There’s six communities that feed into Shepard High School and this is going be a great opportunity for all of them,” Barron said. “I can’t wait to see the fieldhouse constantly filled with energy.”
