Construction on old Hubble Middle School causes Wheaton Park District winter sports delay

Construction on old Hubble Middle School’s gyms has been delayed, causing Wheaton Park District’s winter athletics to begin in early February, rather than January as originally planned.

The park district’s $2.2 million contract with Bergen Construction, approved Sept. 5, consists of construction on 50,000 square feet of the school building.

In September, Bradford Equities purchased the old Hubble Middle School property from Community Unit School District 200 for $5 million, and in turn, the Wheaton Park District purchased part of the old Hubble building — the section containing three gymnasiums — from Bradford for $3.25 million.

The park district had already been using the three gyms in the school prior to the deal, as part of an agreement with Community Unit School District 200, said Mike Benard, park district executive director.

When construction on the school building is complete, it will be a stand-alone athletic center.

If construction finished by Jan. 1, the park district was going to pay Bergen an additional $30,000.

According to media reports, the construction delay is due to a backorder of custom-made air handlers.
Back in September, Benard said the park district had hoped to have the project done in time for its winter athletic events; however, winter sports will be pushed back until February.

Bradford Equities purchased the old Hubble property from the school district, planning to build a Mariano’s Fresh Market on the southeast corner of the property at Naperville and Roosevelt roads. The market is expected to open October 2013, said Chad Jones, Bradford Equities CFO.