Wilmette Platform Tennis Club Expansion Project

START DATE

Spring 2023

PROJECTED END DATE

Fall 2023

LOCATION

3551 Lake Avenue (at West Park Drive), Wilmette

About the Project

Platform Tennis Club History

The Wilmette Platform Tennis Club, located in West Park, was built in 2014. The Club added two additional courts in 2018.

Project Inception

The Wilmette Platform Tennis Club has seen tremendous growth and is now considered one of the most active paddle clubs in the midwest.

The Wilmette Park District worked with contractors to create a plan for the addition of two courts and with Woodhouse Tinucci Architects to create a hut design concept and approach to completion.

Planning Goal and Outcomes

The overall goal of the Wilmette Platform Tennis Expansion Project is to improve the club’s ability to meet the high demand for court play and supply adequate indoor space to match the volume of players at the club.

Please note: Project concept and discussion preceded this project over 18 months. This page is designed to focus on the expansion project underway only.

Documents and Downloads

Updates

March 2023

Site preparations are underway for the project to begin.

April 2023

South deck has been completely removed.
Civil permit obtained.
Storm sewer and sanitary sewer work has commenced.
Water/gas to be shut down soon.
The Building Permit for the hut is pending; our architect is responding to questions from the Village of Wilmette.

May 2023

Most of the sewer and water main work was completed on Friday, May 12; remaining work will resume once the foundation for the new basement is complete.Work related to the landscape berm began on Monday, May 15.
The Wilmette Park District anticipates that the building permit for the Paddle Hut will be approved by the Village of Wilmette within the week. Once the permit is obtained, work on the hut will begin.

June 2023

Exterior demo is underway.
The exterior power panel needs to move, so crews are working on setting up the new service so they can disconnect the old service.
Base work (gravel and grading work) related to the asphalt and concrete work is being completed.

July 2023

Windows on hut have been replaced and the awning on the north side of the building was added.
Basement vapor barrier and waterproofing was complete.
Foundation walls and floor were poured and drainage around the walls was installed.
Plumbing work began in the foundation.
Final grade for the platform courts was completed.
Framing on the new hut started the week of July 31 .
Pier work started for the new platform courts.
Exterior MEP work continues.

August 2023

Interior MEP work started the week of August 7.
August 21 update: Roofing installed; Exterior walls completed; Continued prep work on the exterior for the installation of the windows and siding.
Pier work has begun for the two new courts.

September 2023

Construction of two new courts underway; planks placed via crane.
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work continues in Paddle Hut.
Siding is going up and the north court surfacing is being secured to the beams.
Paddle Hut drywall has been installed, crews are working on taping and mudding.
The fire suppression system has been installed in the Paddle Hut basement – work will begin on the main floor next.

October 2023

Court work complete. West court open Tuesday, October 3; East court will open Wednesday, October 4
Paddle Hut interior and exterior painting/staining underway
Hut tile work in the new kitchenette started
Fire suppression system installed on the main level of hut
Concrete work on the perimeter of the parking lot in progress
The berm and east-of-court planting is complete
10/13: Interior: cabinet installation in progress; light fixtures installed, interior paint complete
10/13: Exterior: asphalt work complete

November 2023

On November 11, Platform Tennis Club members, Wilmette Park Board commissioners, and Park District staff gathered to officially open the new, expanded Paddle Hut and celebrate the project’s completion. They kicked off the celebration with a ribbon cutting.