The Evanston City Council approved two separate resolutions to address longstanding infrastructure needs at the Evanston Parks & Recreation Center.

Resolution 2601 authorized execution of a contract with ConWest Inc., the low bidder, to replace the facility’s roof. Parks and recreation staff said the bid came in below the budgeted amount and councilors described the repair as overdue. "It came just under what we had budgeted for," staff said, and the council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Resolution 2602 authorized a professional services agreement with Crest LLC to provide engineering services for retaining-wall mitigation, site grading improvements and erosion control. Staff explained the hillside behind the rec center is eroding and the base of the building has been exposed; engineers will shore up slopes, divert water away from the structure and move electrical equipment out of sediment-prone areas. One councilor noted the retaining wall had shifted and described the work as necessary to prevent the building from sliding down the hill.

Councilors emphasized the safety and fiscal reasons for the projects and noted they will be done in stages to stabilize sediment and control runoff. Both resolutions were adopted by voice vote.

The council asked staff to coordinate the roof replacement and retaining-wall work to minimize disruption to rec-center operations and to monitor budgets and construction timelines.