Community‑Driven Revitalization of Freund Field Courts
The McHenry City Council has given the green light to a $150,000 contribution from the RISE Up Foundation, sourced from the upcoming 2025 McHenry Music Festival, to refurbish the basketball courts at A.P. Freund Field. The courts, situated at 3901 W. West Ave., have not seen a surface upgrade since 2003.
The renovation will trim the number of competition‑size courts from three to two, allowing the city to focus on maintaining existing infrastructure rather than expanding facilities. Work will include repaving, repainting, and the installation of new lighting and goals, all carried out under the state’s union prevailing‑wage requirements.
Richmond‑based Pavement Solutions Inc. has been selected without a competitive bidding process to handle the project, which is being overseen by Mayor Wayne Jett and his wife, Amber Jett. Their leadership reflects a broader pattern of community investment, as the foundation has previously injected more than $1.4 million into local parks, funding amenities such as a splash pad at Fort McHenry Park and an inclusive playground at Veteran’s Park.
The project’s budget breakdown earmarks $90,000 for asphalt removal, $37,000 for repaving and repainting, with the remainder allocated to upgraded basketball hoops and lighting. State law mandates that all labor be compensated at the prevailing union wage, ensuring fair compensation for workers.
Beyond Freund Field, the city is eyeing further park enhancements. Plans for Petersen Park are slated for discussion, especially as the 2026 McHenry Music Festival is scheduled for September 10‑12 at that location. Officials also intend to address maintenance needs at Fox Ridge and Shamrock Farm parks, aiming to create a cohesive network of recreational spaces across the municipality.
The courts at Freund Field were originally converted from tennis to basketball in 2003, a conversion financed by a donation from the Althoff family and later renamed in honor of Tim Althoff, who passed away that same year. The upcoming overhaul will build on that legacy, modernizing the venue for future generations of players.