Sportsplex Gym Needs More Money to Fix; Plaza Cafe Owner Paid Out for Move

More village money is needed to correct the prematurely warping gymnasium floor.

On Tuesday, Director of Parks and Buildings Frank Stec told the village’s Parks and Recreation Committee that the concrete flooring in the northeast corner of the gymnasium was not level and would need another $4,700 to fix.

The company that installed the floor has since gone out of business, leaving the village no chance for reimbursement.

Last month,. Engineers from another company had previously told Stec that sample testing shows there was nothing wrong with concrete or moisture levels in the gym.

The gymnasium will remain closed for repairs between Aug. 20 and Sept. 24 at the latest, and could have additional amenities when it opens.

The Parks and Recreation Committee also put its endorsement on a $7,130-plan to add badminton and volleyball court configurations for multi-court play.

Plaza Payout

Tom Demacopoulos, , will receive $105,805 in relocation benefits from the village.

Demacopoulos has been forced out of his Orland Plaza location as part of an to make way for a redeveloped downtown. As his restaurant , Demacopoulos said he was planning to reopen the restaurant at 5275 W. 95th Street in Oak Lawn in October under the name Stacked.

Rather than move his existing kitchen and dining room equipment, Demacopoulos has purchased similar equipment at his new Oak Lawn location and provided a village consultant with the bill of sale. He’s still eligible to receive reimbursement for search fees, tenant build out and more, according to federal and state relocation laws.

Colette Highlands Park

Teresa Shinnick, , has taken up another cause. She spoke to the village’s Parks and Recreation Committee on Tuesday about providing her subdivision, Collette Highlands, with its own park—a “common place,” she said, for families.

Assistant Village Manager Ellen Baer reminded committee members that an open lot was available in the subdivision and that a plan for space exists, thought it has never received funding.

Trustee Brad O’Halloran said the village board would review the plan and weigh it against other possible projects during this year’s budget workshops.

Presentations

Presentations were a two-way street on Tuesday. Garden Walk contest winners were announced, the Illinois Policy Institute gave the village an award for , and Village Finance Director Annmarie Mampe was honored for another distinguished budget award.

, though absent, has donated $5,000 for the village’s Special Recreation Program, to be used on sports equipment.