CRC Restoration Project Updates
Updated 1.23.26
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – January 23, 2026
CRC Main Foyer Partially Open 1/24 – Entrance Closed Through 1/28
Beginning Saturday, January 24, the CRC main foyer will partially reopen to the public, giving access to the elevator. However, the primary main entrance, the north entrance and west entrance will remain closed through Wednesday, January 28 as reconstruction work continues.
Please refer to the navigation map to find the best entry door for your destination within the CRC:
What This Means for Your Visit:
- The main entrance doors remain closed through January 28.
- The main foyer is partially open with access to the elevator entering the building from the East (Access Point 3)
- The Front Desk remains located in the West Wing Lobby.
- Elevator access to the second floor is available.
How to Navigate the Building:
- Fitness Club: Access point 7 and 3 (for elevator access)
- Sports Gym & Theater: Access points 1, 2, or 9.
- East Wing (Rooms 106–107): Access point 3.
- East Wing – 2nd Floor (Rooms 200–205): Access point 3.
- West Wing (Rooms 115–119): Access points 4, 7, or 8.
- Gymnastics: Access points 4 or 8.
- Early Childhood Center: Access points 4, 5, or 8.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – January 14, 2026
Community Recreation Center Restoration Project Update:
Main Entrance / Foyer Closed: January 19 – January 23
From Monday, January 19, through Friday, January 23, the main foyer and primary entrance of the Community Recreation Center will be fully closed due to reconstruction. This closure will significantly affect traffic flow throughout the building. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time when arriving.
What This Means for Your Visit:
- There is NO ACCESS available through the main entrance or lobby.
- There is no elevator or ADA access to the second floor during this period.
- The Front Desk has been relocated to the West Wing Lobby.
- Fitness members must use the temporary entrance located in the western courtyard (see map).
- Early Childhood Center, Gymnastics, Sports, Theater, Dance, Art, Music, East Wing, and West Wing programs must be accessed from the preferred alternate exterior doors shown on the map.
- On Friday, January 16, the front desk will be removed; the front foyer will remain open during this time. Please use caution when entering.
How to Navigate the Building:
Please refer to the navigation map to find the best entry door for your destination within the CRC:
- Fitness Club: Access is available only through the temporary entrance located in the west exterior breezeway.
- Sports Gym & Theater: Use access points 1, 2, or 9.
- East Wing (Rooms 106–107): Use access point 3.
- East Wing – 2nd Floor (Rooms 200-205): Use access point 3.
- West Wing (Rooms 115–119): Use access points 4, 7, or 8.
- Gymnastics: Use access points 4 or 8.
- Early Childhood Center: Use access points 4, 5, or 8.
We appreciate your patience as we complete this construction work to improve your Community Recreation Center experience.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – January 8, 2026
Temporary Area Closure Notice | January 12–16
Due to scheduled painting work in the theater area, the Auditorium Wing of the Community Recreation Center will be closed daily from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from January 12 through January 16.
The Auditorium Wing will reopen for normal use each afternoon and evening. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this work.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – January 5, 2026
Work continues to move forward at the Community Recreation Center with visible progress throughout the building. The main foyer and registration desk area have been fully demolished in preparation for a redesigned and more functional entrance, and this space is now awaiting reconstruction and installation. On the second floor and within the business office suite, new carpeting and baseboards have been installed, along with newly installed and waxed tile flooring throughout the second floor. In addition, rooms in these areas are actively being reconstructed and prepared to accommodate the full return of scheduled programming.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – December 13, 2025
Main Entrance / Foyer Closed: December 17 – December 19
From Wednesday, December 17, through Friday, December 19, the main foyer and primary entrance of the Community Recreation Center will be fully closed due to construction. This closure will significantly affect traffic flow throughout the building. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time when arriving.
What This Means for Your Visit:
- There is NO ACCESS available through the main entrance or lobby.
- There is no elevator or ADA access to the second floor during this period.
- The Front Desk has been relocated to the West Wing Lobby.
- Fitness members must use the temporary entrance located in the western courtyard (see map).
- Early Childhood Center, Gymnastics, Sports, Theater, Dance, Art, Music, East Wing, and West Wing programs must be accessed from the preferred alternate exterior doors shown on the map.
- On Tuesday, December 16, the front desk will be removed; the front foyer will remain open during this time. Please use caution when entering.
How to Navigate the Building:
Please refer to the navigation map to find the best entry door for your destination within the CRC:
- Fitness Club: Access is available only through the temporary entrance located in the west exterior breezeway.
- Sports Gym & Theater: Use access points 1, 2, or 9.
- East Wing (Rooms 106–107): Use access point 3.
- East Wing – 2nd Floor (Rooms 200-205): Use access point 3.
- West Wing (Rooms 115–119): Use access points 4, 7, or 8.
- Gymnastics: Use access points 4 or 8.
- Early Childhood Center: Use access points 4, 5, or 8.
We appreciate your patience as we complete this construction work to improve your Community Recreation Center experience.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – December 10, 2025
2nd Floor Hallway Closed for Carpeting: December 11 – December 12
From Thursday, December 11, through Friday, December 12, the 2nd floor hallway at the Community Recreation Center will be fully closed due to construction. This closure will affect traffic flow for 2nd floor programming and Center Fitness Club users. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time when arriving.
What This Means for Your Visit:
- There is NO ACCESS available to second floor hallway, bathrooms or activity rooms (200-205).
- There is no elevator or ADA access to the second floor during this period.
- No access to main stairwell or east stairwell.
- Center Fitness Club will remain OPEN during this time.
- There will be No Spin Classes during this time.
- Fitness members must use the temporary entrance located in the western courtyard (see map).
- All Art and Music classes that are regularly held upstairs are being cancelled or relocated. Communication about your class will come from Recreation Staff.
How to Navigate the Building:
Please refer to the navigation map to find the best entry door for your destination within the CRC:
- Fitness Club: Access is available only through the temporary entrance located in the west exterior breezeway.
Project Overview – November 20, 2025
Next Steps at CRC
Restoration of the Community Recreation Center (CRC) following a triggered sprinkler incident earlier this year is entering its major construction phase. In the coming months, visitors will see steady progress as crews repair affected rooms, studios, offices and common areas throughout the facility. Although temporary disruptions are expected, we aim to continue all programming and ensure a safe, welcoming environment during construction.
Restoration work has begun with contractor-led preparation and planning. Initial efforts included staging materials, coordinating logistics and preparing the building for subsequent phases.
Timeline
In late November and early December, construction will focus on the second floor of the CRC. This phase will involve rebuilding walls, replacing damaged ceilings and flooring, repainting rooms and restoring specialized program spaces, including fitness studios and arts areas. During this period, access to portions of the second floor will be limited, and some programs may be relocated to available rooms within the building.
From late December through January, construction will shift to the first floor, where activity rooms, office suites and support spaces will undergo similar repairs. This work will continue through much of January and into late February. As construction moves through these areas, certain rooms may temporarily close, and staff offices and the front desk may be repositioned to accommodate work while continuing to serve the public.
In late winter, construction will address the lobby and main entrance. This phase will include replacing damaged finishes, updating flooring and enhancing the appearance of the front entryway. During this period, visitors may encounter adjusted traffic flow or temporary alternative entrances; however, the building will remain accessible.
The entire Community Recreation Center Restoration Project is scheduled for “substantial completion” in early March, at which time most spaces will be fully restored and reopened. Final touch-ups and inspections will follow. Upon completion, the Community Recreation Center will operate at full capacity, offering refreshed, safe, updated program areas for all our patrons.
We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding during these essential repairs. Our commitment is to deliver a high-quality restoration that supports the wide range of programs, activities, and services that make the CRC an integral part of Wilmette Park District. For questions or assistance regarding program locations or impacts, staff are always here to help.
To learn more about the CRC Restoration Project, please visit our project page.
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