Key Takeaways
- Illinois Basketball Academy will open its first Chicago facility at 1802 W. Lake, expanding from its current 57,000 sq ft Lisle location
- The three-story building and air dome will accommodate basketball, soccer, lacrosse, flag football, pickleball, and volleyball
- Partnership with CVC Foundation will provide year-round programming and support services for at-risk youth
- Facility located in Near West Side within proximity to United Center requires Special Use approval from ZBA
- Project includes restaurant, team lounge areas, and office space to support multi-sport operations
Established Academy Expands to Chicago Market
Illinois Basketball Academy is moving into Chicago with a planned multi-sport facility at 1802 W. Lake Street. The organization, founded in 2003, currently operates a 57,000 square foot facility in Lisle and has provided basketball instruction to K-12 students while training college and professional players.
The new facility will occupy property stretching from N. Wood Street to N. Wolcott Avenue along W. Lake Street. Plans call for demolishing an existing one-story industrial building at the corner of W. Lake Street and N. Wood Street to make way for the development.
Multi-Sport Air Dome Design Maximizes Space
Wefing Design Studio designed the facility to include a three-story building connected to an air-supported dome housing the sports courts. A separate one-story structure at the west end will provide additional restroom facilities connected to the air dome.
The dome structure will enable the academy to host basketball, soccer, lacrosse, flag football, pickleball, and volleyball. The three-story support building will house a restaurant and concession station on the first floor, a lounge, cafeteria, and study area for teams on the second floor, and office space on the third floor.
Community Partnership Focus on At-Risk Youth
The facility will partner with the nonprofit CVC Foundation to provide year-round sports programming, tutorial services, after-school programming, and support services specifically targeting at-risk youth. Programming will primarily run Monday through Friday with weekend activities.
CVC Foundation is also collaborating with Chicago Sport and Social Club and other nonprofit organizations from the West and South Sides to develop inclusive programming. The facility will provide space for local sports leagues to coordinate tournaments, recreational leagues, training clinics, and open play sessions.
Approval Process and Next Steps
The project requires Special Use approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals because the property sits within the Planned Manufacturing District PMD-4A. The ZBA is scheduled to review the application later this month. If approved, the project can proceed with permitting and construction phases, though no construction timeline has been announced.
The facility represents Illinois Basketball Academy’s expansion into the Chicago market while establishing a community-focused sports hub in the Near West Side.
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via: Chicago Urbanize
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