Update on Gale Community Center

While we had hoped to have the Gale Community Center open by July 1st, I've been advised by Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell that the gymnasium floor is buckling in several places and will need to be repaired by the contractor before the Park District will accept delivery of the building.  Unfortunately, the problem will delay the building opening for several weeks.

I'm disappointed by the delay, but I'm sure we can all understand the Park District's insistence that the contractor address all existing defects before accepting ownership of the building.  I will keep you posted on the status of the repairs.

In the meantime, the Park District continues to negotiate with the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago over a possible partnership with that renowned organization.  If the agreement comes to pass, the Boys and Girls Clubs will operate out of the Gale Community Center and offer programming for both children and adults.  The Boys and Girls Clubs has examined the neighborhood needs assessment put together by Neighbors for a Healthy Rogers Park, as well as a wish-list of programs assembled by the North of Howard Parks Advisory Council.  Those documents will help the Boys and Girls Club design programs that meet the needs and desires of the community.

I have also facilitated meetings with the Boys and Girls Clubs and leaders from the major community organizations in Rogers Park to keep the community leadership apprised of the Boys and Girls Clubs' potential plans for the Community Center, and to afford the community leaders an opportunity to share their input on the community's needs.

Finally, I plan to sponsor a community meeting with the Boys and Girls Club if they reach a tentative agreement with the Park District, so that they can explain their proposal, outline their plans for the center, and obtain community input and feedback.   

I will continue to keep you posted on the status of the negotiations.

Sincerely,

Joe Moore