New Lenox Approves $232,550 in Sun Shades for Sports Complex Bleachers and Playground

Meeting Summary and Briefs: New Lenox Village Board for May 18, 2026

Article Summary: The New Lenox Village Board on Monday, May 18, 2026, approved two proposals with Herrera Construction to install sun shades at the village sports complex — adding bleacher sun shades with backs at a cost of $232,550 and additional playground sun shades through a separate proposal — with both contracts requiring waivers of formal bidding.

Sports Complex Sun Shades Key Points:

• Approved a $232,550 proposal with Herrera Construction for 13 bleacher sun shades with backs and the addition of backs to 10 existing bleachers.
• Approved a separate proposal with Herrera Construction for additional playground sun shades at the sports complex.
• Both proposals required board waivers of the formal bidding process.
• Herrera was the only vendor of three contacted that met the material criteria and offered a warranty for installation with bleacher backs.

NEW LENOX — The New Lenox Village Board on Monday, May 18, 2026, approved two separate proposals with Herrera Construction to expand shade coverage at the village sports complex, with the larger of the two contracts covering bleacher sun shades at a cost of $232,550.

The bleacher proposal calls for Herrera to add 13 sun shades with backs to existing bleacher units at the complex, as well as to add backs to 10 existing bleachers that are already paired with sun shades.

According to Operations Director Brian Williams, three proposals were sought for the bleacher work. Herrera was the only respondent that met both the material criteria established by the village and was willing to offer a warranty for the installation with the bleacher backs in place.

“One of them that we talked to didn’t even — couldn’t even do the backs without — or wouldn’t warranty for the bleachers,” Williams explained to the board, adding that another vendor did not offer the color the village had selected.

Playground Sun Shades Approved Separately

The board then took up a second proposal from Herrera for playground sun shades at the sports complex. Three proposals were also sought for that work, and Herrera submitted the lowest bid. The specific dollar amount for the playground sun shade contract was not stated aloud during the meeting.

Williams noted that Herrera had previously installed the sun shades currently in place at the sports complex, making the new work an extension of an established installation. Mayor Tim Baldermann agreed, telling the board, “It’s an extension of what they’ve done.”

Because both contracts exceeded the threshold requiring formal competitive bidding, the board first voted to waive the formal bid process for each proposal before approving the contracts themselves. All four motions — two waivers and two approvals — passed by unanimous roll call vote.

Heat and Shade Concerns Drive Need

Trustee Katie Christopherson called the shade additions “a great addition” to the sports complex. Baldermann elaborated on the need, noting that the complex’s heavy use of concrete and large open footprint had emerged as a concern since the facility opened.

“One of the biggest issues out there — because there’s so much concrete, such a big area, and no shade — is providing some of that,” Baldermann said. “So it will absolutely be a big additional.”

Christopherson added that the shades address a health concern as well as a comfort issue. “That’s a big health concern too, when people are out there baking in the sun,” she said. “This will help diminish the heat illnesses.”

Baldermann joked that the additional shade “might cut back on beer sales” but indicated the trade-off was worth it.

Trustees Keith Madsen, Bryan Reiser, Jim Wilson and Christopherson voted in favor of all motions. Trustees Lindsay Scalise and Amy Gugliuzza were absent from the meeting.