The new sports stadium proposed for Larkin High School in Elgin is expected to cost $11.8 million and could be ready for use by July 2026, adminstrators told the District U-46 School Board Monday.
“After 62 years, Larkin High School will soon have its own dedicated athletic complex, a long overdue transformation that underscores the district’s commitment to equity and excellence,” Deputy Superintendent of Operations Ann Williams said.
Larkin High School opened in 1962 and has been using Elgin High School’s Memorial Field as its home stadium for decades.
According to plans presented to the board, the football/soccer field surrounded by a running track will have an east/west orientation. It will include a turf field, field drainage system, locker rooms, lavatory building, lighting, bleachers, pressbox and concessions stand.
Located on the west side of McLean Boulevard, the complex will be south of the Larkin school building and situated on the site of the current running track. Funding will come from District U-46’s capital budget with no funds from the $179 million building bond referendum approved by voters in 2023 needed.
The district has checked with civil engineers to confirm the alignment is allowed by the IHSA, which regulates interscholastic sports competition at the high school level for the state of Illinois, Williams said. Several successful sports programs have east/west stadiums, including Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Glenbard West in Glen Ellyn and Providence Catholic in New Lenox, she said.
U-46 officials anticipate work on the complex’s design will begin in January with an eye toward groundbreaking in November and completion in July 2026.
“I would like to take a moment and even put on my Larkin parent hat. It’s going to be huge for these kids to be able to walk into their own stadium,” board Vice President Kate Thommes said. “Elgin (High School) has been fantastic (in allowing Larkin to use its stadium). Elgin has shared with us, even when we win the (Town) Jug Game (for football bragging rights in Elgin), and they lose. They’ve been fantastic.”
Thommes said she can’t wait for her daughter to come back and celebrate as an alumni at the new stadium.
Speaking during the public comments portion of the meeting, Larkin Principal Krystal Bush expressed her gratitude for the district’s and board’s support for the new addition.
“This initiative represents a significant step toward ensuring equity across the district’s athletic programs, providing our student athletes with the resources and opportunities they deserve,” Bush said.
The project must be formally approved by the school board before it can go to the Elgin Planning and Zoning Commission and the Elgin City Council for review and approval.
It’s included among the $57.4 million in maintenance and capital initiatives planned for summer 2025, which also includes $5.1 million for work to be done at Elgin High School and Memorial Field. The district plans to improve and adjust EHS’ roads and parking lots and move power lines, according to district documents.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
