Chicago’s first public indoor track and field facility breaks ground in Pullman

Chicago’s first public indoor track and field complex is officially headed to the city’s Pullman neighborhood. Known as the Gately Indoor Track & Field, the 139,000-square-foot development at 744 E. 103rd Street recently celebrated its ceremonial groundbreaking attended by city officials including Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

The design, from Williams Architects, will include a banked 200-meter track, an eight-lane sprint track, seating for 3,500 spectators, and space for track and field events like hurdles, shot put, and long jump. Additionally, the building will host sports such as volleyball, lacrosse, football, and basketball and serve as a base of operations for Chicago’s nonprofit After School Matters program.

“This state-of-the-art facility will provide unprecedented recreational and competitive opportunities in Roseland, Pullman and neighboring communities,” said Chicago Park District general superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly in a statement. “In addition to cultivating young athletes and supporting local programming, this indoor track and field will have the capacity to attract regional events, bringing economic benefits to the area.”

Announced in 2014, the Gately Park project faced early delays due to Illinois’s budgetary crisis. Funding for the $55 million project ultimately came from the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, the Exelon Corporation, and the Mellody Hobson and George Lucas Family Foundation. Contractors McHugh Construction and Bowa Construction are teaming up to build the Far South Side development, which is aiming to open in August 2019.

Home to the city’s only National Monument, Chicago’s historic Pullman community recently welcomed a massive Whole Foods distribution center and hopes to soon break ground on the Pullman Artspace Lofts—the area’s first new multi-unit residential development in decades.

• City’s South Side to get indoor track at Gately Park [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Massive Indoor Track Facility Coming To South Side Will Be City’s First [Block Club Chicago]
• Previous Pullman coverage [Cured Chicago]