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District outlines O'Plaine locker-room schedule and reopens discussion of nearby Gal Beach property and flood-control partnerships
Summary
Administrators gave a construction timeline for the O'Plaine locker-room project and board members raised proposals for the adjacent Gal Beach parcel — including flood mitigation, shared-use partnerships and potential intergovernmental agreements with the village, township, forest preserve and other districts.
District facilities staff told the board that excavation for the O'Plaine locker-room project will begin in early September, foundations will start around Sept. 10, and salt fences and removal of tennis-court fencing are already in progress. The district said it has installed live camera feeds and is distributing a one-page information sheet to staff and families, and that a press release followed a ceremonial groundbreaking.
Board members used the facilities update to revisit an undeveloped parcel near Gal Beach that the district owns, which includes a small parking lot, boarded former bathhouse structures and an empty house. Board members discussed multiple possible uses — from limited weekend community access and a dog-park proposal to partnering on flood-control work with municipal and county entities. One board member said the district’s primary interest is flood management and protection of the locker-room investment rather than creating revenue or large new uses.
Board members suggested inviting potential partners — the Village of Gurnee, Warren Township, Lake County Forest Preserves and the Army Corps of Engineers were mentioned — to an exploratory discussion and said any agreement should preserve school parking and prioritize school access during weekdays. The board also noted cross-country teams and occasional athletics currently use the area and cautioned about security and camera coverage before expanding regular school use.
Separately, the board discussed a larger property owned by the district off Stern School Road that is farmed under lease; board members asked administrators to compile ownership history, leasing income, any flood-plain constraints and prior housing-development studies before further action.
No final commitments or contracts were approved at the meeting; the board directed staff to gather more information and to return with proposals if outside partners express interest.
