Park Board Revokes Ackerman Contracts Citing 'Breach of Contract'

The Glen Ellyn Park District cited breach of contract in a press release Thursday detailing the termination of the contracts it has with the builders of the

The park district’s board of commissioners convened a special meeting Wednesday in which the only item of business was terminating the contracts with T.A. Bowman Constructors LLC, Professional Building Services and Ollmann Ernest Martin Architects.

The roof of the Ackerman complex has been leaking for several months, and it has been an aggravating problem for the architects and park officials.

Both Dave Scarmado, the superintendent of parks, and Melissa Creech, park board president, said the breach of contract came out of the roof issue.

“It’s very frustrating not only for staff but for residents and the people who are using this facility,” Scarmado said.

Creech added that anyone who goes to Ackerman will see their “whole system of tarps and buckets.”

“We’re trying to find the best way to fix the roof, and our actions last night (Wednesday night) were the best way to move forward,” Creech said.

At the same time, a new contract has been awarded to Wess, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Creech said they are a consulting firm that “specializes in roofs.”

“They have prepared a report for us on the Ackerman facility in regards to the roof,” Creech said.

Scarmado elaborated further on WJE’s duties.

“They’re putting together specifications and bidding documents for roof mediation,” Scarmado said.

Because the board’s decision occurred only Wednesday, Scarmado said no timelines for action have been determined and the cost is unknown, as negotiations are still ongoing.

“In the next few days we should be able to get everything ironed out and get some sort of agreement,” Scarmado said.

Creech said their goal is to have the roof fixed by winter.

T.A. Bowman Constructors is a specialized steel constructor. One of its subcontractors installed the roof, while Ollman Ernest Architects were the original architects of the Ackerman facility. Professional Building Services served as the construction manager for the Ackerman project.

Paul Ollmann of Ollmann Ernest Martin Architects said he was unaware of the contract’s termination until Glen Ellyn Patch called him asking for an interview. He said he would have to “make a few calls” before commenting on the matter.

Later, he said he officially had no comment. T.A. Bowman Constructors also had no comment.