Minooka Community High School District 111 faced a challenge familiar to many growing districts: enrollment climbs, athletic programs expand, and existing facilities simply cannot keep pace. The South Campus Fieldhouse Addition is a direct, collaborative response to that pressure. Developed through a comprehensive facilities planning process that brought together students, staff, parents, and community members, this facility is designed to resolve critical physical education space shortages while opening the door to far greater athletic participation for more students.
Flexible Programming for More Students
At the heart of the fieldhouse is a four-court floor plan built for versatility. The four basketball courts convert to accommodate four volleyball courts or 16 badminton courts simultaneously, allowing physical education classes, practice sessions, and competitive games to run in parallel without scheduling conflicts. More available space means more students can participate, more teams can compete, and PE programming no longer has to be squeezed into inadequate facilities.
The fieldhouse also includes a 200-meter, six-lane indoor track with dedicated pole vault and long jump areas. This gives the district’s track and field programs a permanent, weather-independent home and the capacity to train for a broader range of competitive events throughout the full school year.
Full Support Infrastructure
A well-functioning athletic facility depends on more than its main floor. The South Campus Fieldhouse Addition includes every support space needed to run programs efficiently:
- Weight room for strength and conditioning, accessible to student athletes and PE classes alike
- Expanded locker rooms with adequate capacity for concurrent home and visiting team use
- Coaches’ offices to support program management, planning, and staff coordination
- Storage to keep equipment organized and reduce setup time between activities
- Maintenance shop to give operations staff a dedicated workspace that supports long-term facility performance
These spaces are not afterthoughts. They are what allow the building to function at the level the district’s programs require.
A Hub for Students and the Broader Community
The fieldhouse is designed to serve Minooka well beyond the school day. Thoughtful planning ensures community members can access the facility during evenings and weekends through dedicated entry points that do not compromise school security. The result is a space where students, residents, and local organizations can stay active, come together, and strengthen their connection to the school and to each other.
This community-centered approach reflects DLA Architects’ core belief: that a well-designed space is a catalyst for belonging. Every student, from a varsity competitor to a first-time participant in an intramural program, deserves a place where they can thrive.
Modern Design, Long-Term Value
The South Campus Fieldhouse Addition integrates seamlessly with the existing South Campus through a modern, energy-efficient design built for long-term performance. Sustainable materials and thoughtful construction reduce operational costs over time, ensuring the district’s investment delivers lasting value well beyond opening day.
This project is part of a broader, long-range facilities plan developed in direct response to the district’s growth. It addresses today’s space constraints while positioning Minooka Community High School District 111 to meet the needs of its students and community for years to come.
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