Could LTHS Action Jeopardize Flood Control?

LA GRANGE, IL – The staff at Lyons Township High School is recommending the school board delay putting in artificial turf fields on its land a few blocks west of North Campus.

That may affect the effort to stop flooding in La Grange's neighborhoods north of 47th Street.

In recent months, the school and village have been in talks for the village to put in water vaults under the planned artificial turf fields. Such improvements are expected to drain the neighborhood's water. Much of it now flows to the corner of Sunset and Elm avenues, which is a block east of the school's athletic fields.

In March, the school's architect told the board its bids for this year's building projects were 25 percent higher than expected. This meant the school board would have to curtail its plans for next year.

The school's staff wants to delay the installation of artificial turf fields (estimated at $3.5 million), North Campus classroom modernization ($6.6 million) and another North Campus elevator ($1.8 million).

The delays are pending "additional funding discussions," a school memo said.

In a statement, La Grange Village Manager Jack Knight said Monday afternoon, "We are aware and continue to pursue a flood mitigation solution in partnership with LTHS. The timing of the project has not impacted the Village’s pursuit for funding to support it."

The district's spokeswoman, Mary Lin Muscolino, said the district has had open communication with the village.

"Both the District and Village remain committed to working together to pursue a flood mitigation solution," she said

For years, the village has relied on its plan for the Maple Avenue Relief Sewer, or MARS, to address problems with flooding at Sunset and Elm, among other areas.

In early April, though, engineer Mike Burke of Rosemont-based Christopher Burke Engineering told the Village Board that the Maple Avenue project would do relatively little to help Sunset and Elm in particular.

Instead, he recommended an underground vault at the high school's athletic fields. It would be able to store 3.2 million gallons, which would remove most of the water heading to Sunset and Elm, he said.

The project's price tag was estimated at $9 million. Burke said he would submit a formal application for money to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

On Monday night, the school board is expected to vote on whether to go out to bid on next year's projects. The staff recommends three North Campus projects – $9.4 million for air conditioning, $1.6 million for restroom renovations and $600,000 for an elevator renovation.

Patch left messages for comment with school and village officials Monday morning.

In 2021, Elmhurst and the local school district completed an artificial field where underground vaults were installed. This was expected to alleviate flooding in the neighborhood.