IC High School Gets Approval to Begin Installation of Synthetic Turf at Plunkett Field

Immaculate Conception High School received approval from the Diocese of Joliet to begin the first phase of a multi-phased renovation project to at West Avenue and Utley in Elmhurst.  The renovations will start in April and are scheduled for completion in time for the 2013 Knights fall sports season.

As a parish high school, IC is subject to the policies of the Diocese of Joliet, which state that parish schools need to have 100 percent of the funding goal in pledged support, along with 80 percent of the actual cash in hand, to begin a capital project like this.  IC will continue its fund-raising efforts to support future phases of the Plunkett Field project after Phase One construction loans (about $400,000) can be covered.

The long-term vision for Plunkett Field includes installation of a synthetic turf playing surface, a new entranceway into the stadium, lighting, new spectator seating, and new concessions and restroom facilities. 

IC high school and grade school play their outdoor athletic home games at Plunkett Field. At the high school level, Plunkett hosts the Knights contests in baseball, football, lacrosse and soccer, and softball will be added after the renovation.

Phase One will include the installation of synthetic turf; the present natural grass field can no longer support the heavy usage and traffic it is subjected to each year.

A new arched entryway to Plunkett will incorporate a paver-bricked walkway, and engraved paver bricks will continue to be offered as a part of the project's fundraising. To date, more than $40,000 has been raised through paver brick sales.

The estimated cost to complete Phase One of the renovations is about $2.1 million. ICHS has been fund-raising for the project since 2011. 

When the project was announced back in September, it was estimated fund-raising had netted $1.35 million, but many of the financial commitments will be made over a multi-year period.

For more information on how to help, please contact Scott LaMorte, ICHS director of institutional advancement, at (630) 530-3485 or email at slamorte@ichsknights.org. Cash donations and in-kind gifts of products or services needed are appreciated.

Source: Immaculate Conception High School