Community Recreation Center – Restoration Project
START DATE
2025
LOCATION
Community Recreation Center, Wilmette
Restoration Project - Update
Updated - 11.20.25
Restoration work has begun with contractor-led preparation and planning. Initial efforts included staging materials, coordinating logistics and preparing the building for subsequent phases. 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.
To learn the latest information on our project timeline, visit our BLOG.
Background
On Thursday, May 22 a sprinkler head was accidentally triggered during an afterschool program on the second floor of the Community Recreation Center (CRC).
The sprinkler system’s activation automatically set off the fire alarm and the building’s fire suppression system. First responders arrived quickly, and the building was safely evacuated. There was no fire or immediate danger, but the sprinkler caused significant water damage in the fifteen to twenty minutes while it was on.
The damage was concentrated to the east side of the building on both the second and first floors. ServPro and Wilmette Park District staff are actively managing clean-up and remediation efforts. Here’s a summary of the affected areas:
Second Floor: Several multi-purpose rooms experienced water exposure, damaging select furnishings and equipment. Flooring in various areas, including carpet and hard surfaces, is undergoing removal or drying. Specialized fitness rooms and ceramics art studios were also affected.
First Floor: Large activity rooms and office spaces sustained damage primarily to ceiling tiles, flooring, and lower wall sections. Common areas, including the lobby, experienced carpet and furniture damage.
A wide range of programs were impacted, primarily through room relocations. Most programs could continue in alternative spaces, but a few requiring specific studio equipment, like ceramics and spin classes, have been canceled.
Project Overview
This project aims to restore the Community Recreation Center to full operational capacity by undertaking comprehensive repair and replacement work. This will include removal and replacement of drywall, ceiling tiles, flooring, furniture, windows, doors, and specialized equipment for fitness and arts programs.
Restoration efforts will be coordinated with ongoing cleanup and remediation managed by ServPro and Wilmette Park District staff to ensure a seamless transition back to full service.
Planning Goal and Intended Outcomes
- Return all affected areas to full use by replacing damaged structural components, finishes, and equipment to meet or exceed pre-incident conditions.
- Facilitate a smooth resumption of programs by prioritizing repairs that impact specialized spaces such as ceramics studios and fitness rooms, and by coordinating alternative program locations as needed during renovation.
- Comply with all building codes, safety regulations, and accessibility standards during renovation and replacement activities to guarantee a safe environment for staff and visitors.
- Use high-quality materials and finishes to improve the durability and visual appeal of repaired spaces.
- Complete replacement of damaged drywall, ceiling tiles, flooring (carpet, hard surfaces, tile), and lower wall sections.
- Replacement of damaged furniture, windows, and doors to ensure comfort and security.
- Full replacement of specialized fitness and ceramics equipment to reinstate all program offerings.
- Reopening of all impacted rooms and common areas with no residual safety hazards or operational limitations.
Documents and Presentations
No Current Documents at this Time
Project Timeline
Download PDF 
Save This Page as a PDF