The Elgin City Council on Oct. 8 approved a plan development amendment allowing School District U‑46 to upgrade the athletic field at Larkin High School to host home football games and other events, including construction of a new 7,600‑square‑foot concessions and locker room building, permanent bleachers for up to 2,250 spectators and new stadium lighting.

Why it matters: The improvements would allow Larkin to host varsity football games that currently occur at Elgin High, change traffic patterns on event nights and add infrastructure — permanent restrooms and a press box — that the site currently lacks.

Project specifics: Planning staff described the project as including a 7,600‑square‑foot building for concessions/locker rooms/bathrooms, a 1,500‑square‑foot covered outdoor pavilion, two ticket booths, a west‑facing scoreboard, and permanent bleachers on both sides of the field (north and south). The south (home) bleachers will include a press box. The plans replace a chain‑link fence along McLean with a six‑foot ornamental fence and add landscaping. The district told staff that Friday‑night varsity attendance is expected to range between 750 and 1,000 people and that the school expects about five home football games during the regular season.

Traffic and parking: U‑46 provided a conservative parking estimate of 300–400 vehicles and noted 540 on‑site spaces; staff and the district proposed shuttle service from nearby schools if needed and said game traffic will be managed with restricted exit movements and established drive patterns. Planners noted 875 of 2,075 Larkin students (more than 42%) walk to school, which the district said reduces daily parking demand.

Public input and council discussion: Neighbors expressed concerns about traffic, parking and lighting and asked for limits on impacts; the district and its architect said lighting will be directed to the field and photometrics will meet city requirements. The district also described community meetings and outreach; staff recommended conditions contained in the packet. Several council members who attended Larkin or grew up in the area praised the project as long overdue and urged ongoing coordination with neighbors and police for event management.

Vote and next steps: The council approved the plan development amendment 9‑0. District and city staff said they will proceed with permitting, final site work, and public notification of construction and game‑day traffic management plans; the council invited the district to a forthcoming groundbreaking.

Ending: The project, if built as proposed, will give Larkin a permanent stadium and change where and how home football games are hosted in Elgin; staff will continue to work with the district and neighborhoods on mitigation and parking plans.