Larkin High School stadium construction begins this week

Officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking and say construction on Larkin High School’s first on-campus 2,250-seat stadium will begin this week, with the $11.8 million complex expected to open for the fall athletic season.

Officials and the Larkin High School mascot took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking this week as construction is set to start on the school's first on-campus stadium. For 63 years Larkin teams have played home games elsewhere, most often at Memorial Field at Elgin High School about four miles away. School leaders described the project as long wished for by the Larkin community and said it will support athletics and student pride. District officials announced the work will begin later this week and they expect the facility to be ready by the fall athletic season. Key details: - The stadium will seat 2,250 and will be built on the south side of the school where an existing field now sits. - The project budget is $11.8 million and includes a turf field for football, soccer and other sports, plus a high-performance track. - New bleachers will be on the north and south sides and a press box will sit on the home-team south side. - A 7,600-square-foot west-side building will house locker rooms, concessions and bathrooms, and a 1,500-square-foot covered outdoor pavilion is planned. - Additional work includes a new scoreboard, upgraded lighting and sound, two ticket booths, landscaping and an ornamental fence along South McLean Boulevard. - School board President Melissa Owens said the complex is meant to advance equity across district athletic programs, and Principal Jason Misicka said it will boost student pride and belonging. Summary: District and school leaders portray the new stadium as a long-awaited asset that will bring home games back to Larkin and support student activities while fostering school pride. Construction is reported to begin later this week and officials expect the complex to be completed in time for the fall athletic season.