Lincoln-Way Plans New Turf Field at Central and Courts at West for 2026

Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026

Article Summary: District 210 administrators presented a $4.5 million capital projects plan for Summer 2026, headlined by a new auxiliary turf field at Lincoln-Way Central and reconstructed tennis courts at Lincoln-Way West.

Capital Projects Key Points:

• Central: Installation of a multi-purpose auxiliary turf field north of the stadium.

• West: Complete replacement of tennis courts due to significant cracking and deterioration.

• East: Renovation of field events areas.

• Transportation: Concrete and paving improvements at the transportation center.

• Budget: The estimated cost for the priority projects ranges from $3.6 to $4.1 million.

The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education reviewed plans on Thursday, January 15, 2026, for several major capital improvements scheduled for the summer of 2026.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Duback and Director of Buildings and Grounds Chuck Welke presented the priority list, which is funded through a $4.5 million transfer into the district’s capital projects fund.

The most significant addition proposed is a new multi-purpose auxiliary field at Lincoln-Way Central. Superintendent Dr. R. Scott Tingley explained that the field is necessary to support the newly approved girls flag football program and alleviate congestion on the main stadium field.

“Central has one practice field,” Tingley said. “If we’re going to start the flag football… it’s been sorely needed here.”

The new field, modeled after a similar facility at Homewood-Flossmoor, will be located just north of the stadium. It will feature markings for soccer, lacrosse, and football, as well as colored bases in the corners for baseball and softball practice.

At Lincoln-Way West, the district plans to replace the tennis courts, which Tingley described as having “canyons” due to age and wear.

“It’s been on Dr. [Monica] Schmitt’s list for four years,” Tingley said regarding the West tennis courts. “We have to address all those areas.”

Other priority projects include renovating the field event areas at Lincoln-Way East and concrete paving improvements at the district’s transportation center. Dr. Duback estimated the cost for these primary projects to be between $3.6 million and $4.1 million.

The board is expected to vote on bids for these projects in March.