New fields, parking, amenities and an eastern entrance on deck for Elgin Sports Complex

New fields, concessions, parking and less traffic congestion are among the improvements on deck for the Elgin Sports Complex.

The Elgin City Council unanimously approved a $21 million bid last week from George Sollitt Construction Co. to complete the expansion, which will include three synthetic turf fields with fencing and lighting, a concession plaza, maintenance building, restrooms, shade pavilion, bike path, and additional parking for 270 vehicles.

Additionally, a new roadway will provide eastern access from Route 31, lessening traffic and providing easier access to the city’s downtown.

The city council had allocated $14 million during last year’s budgeting process for the project. Cost increases brought that total $17.75 million when the council agreed to move ahead with the bidding process in February.

The new total represents the addition of a number of “add alternates” that were proposed to the council earlier this year, including the third field, a playground, more parking, native landscaping and sustainable amenities like permeable pavers.

Elgin Parks and Recreation Director Maria Cumpata said the bids that came in for the extras were about $2 million less than they expected, allowing them to recommend completing all the options now.

“The benefits of completing the base package as well as the add alternates enables significant economies of scale,” she said.

Completing the additions now also mitigates the impact of future price increases of material and labor, Cumpata added.

The project is expected to take 15 to 18 months to complete, with the expansion set to open in the fall of 2025.