School, city to hammer out field deal

JOLIET -- City and school officials have yet to hammer out an agreement that could make Silver Cross Field football ready by next fall.

The two sides need to work out an intergovernmental agreement to settle such issues as costs, revenues and maintenance responsibilities if Joliet Central High School moves forward with plans to use the city-owned field for football, soccer and other events.

School Superintendent Paul Swanstrom said he would like to see an agreement worked out by Nov. 16, when the school board next meets and could sign off on a pact. The city council meets the same day.

But it's not clear at all whether the agreement can be worked out by then, Swanstrom said.

Also, new turf installation would have to be done in such a way as to not interfere with games scheduled for the Joliet JackHammers and the University of St. Francis, which also uses Silver Cross Field.

"We need to look at the timing of all that," Swanstrom said.

There's also the matter of the city's ongoing rent dispute with the Joliet JackHammers. But City Attorney Jeff Plyman said the team and city are close to a resolution.

Also, Plyman said, "The team is totally supportive of what the high school wants to do."