ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – A Rockford Park District (RPD) board meeting felt more like a concert as families and athletes filled the hall with applause.
At Tuesday evening’s meeting, the RPD Board of Directors approved a construction contract for the $7.5 million upgrade of the Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park.
“Our kids deserve a world-class facility and tonight we’re getting started,” said Lamont Jones, RPD’s general manager of youth sports, at the start of the meeting.
Thanks to unanimous approval from the board, the “world-class facility” will feature an eight-lane running track, space for field competition, turf from the Chicago Bears’ Walter Payton Center at Halas Hall, new bleachers and more.
Jones said the historic investment builds on growing youth sports programs in Rockford – as flag football and Rockford FIRE Track and Field seek a central location.
“That’s why it’s important that we have a world-class facility like the one we’re currently building at the Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park,” Jones says.
Martesha Brown is chair of the RPD board and believes the improvements to the park will strengthen the community and save parents the hassle of traveling to competitions.
“I remember my childhood playing at Brown Park. Now we have this investment in Southwest Rockford so kids like me can continue to grow and connect with others,” Brown says.
In addition to celebrating Clarence Hicks, the evening also recognized Rockford’s up-and-coming athletes – the Rockford FIRE and Rockford Bears 15U flag football teams were recognized for their recent achievements.
Local leaders such as City Councilwoman Gabrielle Torina, Rockford Fire Chief Michele Pankow, Mayor Tom McNamara and Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli also congratulated those in attendance.
Among the athletes honored was Supreme Muhammad: an All-American runner in the 100- and 200-meter dashes for the local track and field program. An upcoming improvement is especially exciting for the track and field star.
“If you run on a bad track, you’re probably going to be slower than on a good track,” says Muhammad. For him, a “bad track” is made of concrete; Clarence Hicks, on the other hand, will offer runners a surface made of rubber and asphalt – and thus offer the chance for faster times.
“We train on the Boylan track and it’s not as good as the new track,” says the Rockford FIRE sprinter. “It would be great if we had our own track out there.”
The former Winnebago High School student may be heading to college, but that doesn’t mean he won’t head to the park to cheer on Forest City’s next track and field stars.
“I hope they train well on this good track and see that we can go to the Junior Olympics,” says Muhammad. “I hope they follow us and want to become All-Americans.”
Chairman Brown thanks State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and State Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford) for securing a record $2.8 million grant for the project. No additional funds are needed.
The district has contracted Fischer Excavating to build the project. The official groundbreaking is scheduled for the end of this year; work could be completed as early as August 1, 2025.
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