CL South Fans May Get to Use Bleachers- For Now; Legal Battle Continues

When football season begins for Crystal Lake South High School on Aug. 30, fans may get to sit in the new $1.18 million bleachers - for this year anyway.

Attorneys for Community High School District 155 and the city of Crystal Lake met in court Friday morning, and city attorneys agreed to "stay" - or temporarily delay - its stop work order while court proceedings continue over the matter.

"We are not willing to let the students, the athletes and the supporters get caught in the middle of this," Crystal Lake attorney Justin Hansen said.

However, if District 155 moves forward and completes work on the stadium, it does so at its own risk, Hansen said.

"The city still maintains we have zoning authority over this piece of property," Hansen said. "We think (District 155) should have participated in the city's zoning process six months ago, and given the neighbors a chance to speak. That would have prevented all of this."

District 155 officials maintain they did not need city approval for the project, and insist they are governed by the McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools.

However, Crystal Lake officials argue District 155 has a history of participating in the city's zoning process. The school district has obtained 26 permits over the past 25 years from the city, they said.

The city also agreed to not impose the $1,000 per day fine for violating the stop-work order.

District 155 attorney Robert Swain told McHenry County Judge Thomas Meyer about five days worth of construction work is needed to complete the stadium, which will seat up to 3,900 spectators in both the Home and Visitors section. Safety railings need to be installed on the top of the bleachers, and walkways need to be finished, he said.

Including the new press box, the bleachers rise 51 feet, and are set 41 feet from the neighboring property lines.

Judge Meyer said he had concerns about leaving the bleachers in an unfinished state, as well as concerns about spectators using the stadium if the city's building and zoning department hadn't inspected the final work.

School officials said building inspectors from McHenry County would be brought in to confirm the bleachers' safety since the county is affiliated with the Regional Superintendent of Schools office.

The two sides meet again at 9:15 a.m. Friday, 23, before Judge Michael Chmiel.

The Gators first home game is Friday, Aug. 30.


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