Elmhurst, School Officials Cast Old Tensions Aside

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst city and school officials last week celebrated the installation of a stormwater detention basin and artificial turf field at York High School.

This was a far cry from the low point in the relationship between the city and School District 205 two years ago. Patch recently obtained a closed session recording in which school officials expressed anger in their dealings with the city. A lawsuit against the city was pondered.

But none of that was evident in a school district news release Monday on the ribbon-cutting event.

“Almost three years ago, we made it a priority to work together to make this a reality,” school board President Kara Caforio said in the news release. "The signing of the intergovernmental agreement in 2019 represented the best of what Elmhurst is: Working together to wisely steward our resources in order to solve problems for our entire community."

The city built the stormwater vaults under a York athletic field to address longtime flooding issues in the neighborhood. As part of the project, the field for soccer and lacrosse was converted to artificial turf.

At the event, York students and athletes Quinn Olson and Jose Herrea spoke about the benefits of the new field, including fewer potential injuries, more practice time and a level surface, according to the news release.

The field can be used throughout the day for physical education and after school for practices and competitions. It will also provide athletic space for residents to use during the weekends, the release said.