IRVING PARK — The new, $2.7 million athletic fields at Carl Schurz High School are now open.

The regulation-sized soccer field, softball field, water fountain and running track have been in the works since September 2018, and community members gathered Sunday to celebrate.

“As we watch our students enjoying P.E. class outdoors, student athletes honing their skills after school, and moms and dads kicking the ball around in the early evening, we are grateful to everyone in the Schurz community for their support and patience through this long process,” the school said on its Facebook page.

When the school is not using the fields and track, they will be open to the public.

The high school at 3601 N. Milwaukee Ave. has been around since 1910 and now has 1,676 students. Its athletic program includes track and field, cross-country, soccer, baseball and softball.

The field is named after beloved Schurz coach and teacher Frank Preo.

In 2015, the school’s then-principal Dan Kramer first proposed the idea of a new field because he would pass by Lane Tech High School’s athletic field on his commute to work. Initial plans were criticized for not having community input.

The following year, revised plans were presented to the public.

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