Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CHICAGO SKATING PARTNERS LLC FOR MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
SPECIFICATION NO. P-25008
Body
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter XI.C.3. of the Code of the Chicago Park District, it is recommended that the General Superintendent and CEO or his designee enter into a contract with Chicago Skating Partners LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“CSP”), for the purpose of managing and operating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Entertainment Center. The contractor was selected pursuant to a publicly advertised Request for Proposals (“RFP”). No work may commence, and no payment shall be made to contractor prior to the execution of a written agreement (the “Agreement”).
II. Award Information
Company: Chicago Skating Partners LLC
4849 Evanswood Drive
Columbus, OH 43229
Company Type: Limited Liability Company
Majority Interest: United Skates of America, 81%
(United Skates of America: Jen Troeger, 32%; Josh Troeger, 32%; Jamie Troeger, 32%)
Karen Palermo, 9%
Contract Type: Term Agreement
Contract Term: 7 years with three additional 1-year extension options
Contract Amount: Management Fee: Not to Exceed $1,698,172.00
Extension Options: Not to Exceed $822,590.00
Compliance Goals: The Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) for this Agreement meets the Chicago Park District (“CPkD”) participation goals of 25% MBE participation and 5% WBE participation. The proposal for this authorization includes 55.7% MBE participation and 5% WBE participation.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the Agreement. Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the Agreement and the related extension options and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Agreement and keep an original copy of the Agreement on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Operating & Operating Revenue
Fiscal Years: 2026-2031
Source of Funds: 001.9310.9310.626010.00001.01.01.00001 (Operating)
001.9310.9310.427030.00001.01.01.00001 (Operating Revenue)
IV. Procurement Information
Specification Number: P-25008
Date Issued: September 8, 2025
Date of Pre-Submittal Meeting: September 15, 2025
Date Proposals Due: October 22, 2025
Number of Proposals Received: One (1)
This Agreement was publicly advertised as a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) on September 8, 2025. A total of one (1) proposal was received by the due date and the proposal was found by the Department of Purchasing (“Purchasing”) to be responsive. The Evaluation Committee (“EC”) was comprised of six (6) total members, five (5) CPkD staff voting members and one (1) CPkD staff non-voting member. The EC began their evaluation of the proposal at their first meeting on November 5, 2025, where the non-financial proposal was distributed. They met again on November 17, 2025, where the non-financial portion of the proposal was discussed and the financial proposal was distributed. It was decided at the conclusion of this meeting to invite the respondent to provide an oral presentation. The oral presentation was held on December 4, 2025 and the session lasted approximately one and a half (1.5) hours. The EC met once following the oral presentation, and at the end of their meeting they decided to send a request for a Best and Final Offer to the respondent. Purchasing received the Best and Final Offer on December 5, 2025 and the EC concluded their evaluation by submitting scores to Purchasing in favor of selecting CSP.
V. Explanation
CPkD requires the services of a firm to manage and operate its indoor roller rink and bowling alley facility located at 1219 West 77th Street in the Auburn Gresham Neighborhood. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Entertainment Center (the “Center”) is a state of the art 40,000 square foot recreational facility designed to offer fun and entertainment to guests of all ages. CSP will be responsible for all aspects of the facility including operating the snack bar, electronic game card arcade and prize redemption shop.
CPkD’s goals and objectives of the Contractor’s services shall be:
1. To maximize the attendance and utilization of the Center by all segments of the local and regional population
2. To maximize the revenue generated by or for CPkD from the Center
3. To make the operation of the Center green and eco-friendly by minimizing its negative environmental impact
4. To keep the Center in a clean, safe, well-maintained and attractive state at all times
5. To involve all segments of the City in the employment and business opportunities arising as a direct or indirect result of the management and operation of the Center
6. To provide services of the highest quality in a manner that equals or exceeds the highest standards in the industry
7. To be responsible to the needs of customers and patrons
The manager’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Staffing and operation of the Center
• Maintenance and management of roller rink, bowling alley, concessions, arcade and redemption shop, seating areas, restrooms and parking lot
• Security, Safety and Emergency Services including 24-hour security of the Center utilizing electronic surveillance, motorized patrols and foot patrols
• All maintenance as well as routine preventative maintenance and non-capital repair services. Includes management of garbage collection, removal and recycling, graffiti removal, security and fire prevention systems, hardscape, electrical, plumbing, painting, signs, pest control, snow and ice removal among other items as outlined in the Request for Proposals which shall be included in the Agreement as an exhibit
• Programming the Center. Developing, implementing and enhancing activities, outreach programs, and other initiatives designed to increase local community engagement, public awareness, and revenue
• Event rentals
• Customer service
• Marketing and promoting the Center including via social channels and selling group outings/event rentals
• Implementation of environmental stewardship program and energy conservation program
• Implementing capital improvements at the Center
• Maintaining financial controls, providing reports such as annual Center operations plan including budget, management plan, capital plan and monthly reports
• Providing reports and annual plans
• Implementing strategies to ensure the long-term success of the Center
The EC evaluated proposals in terms of alignment with the goals and objectives of CPkD in the following categories:
1. Company Experience - The proposer must be an established firm whose experience demonstrates it has the know-how, ability and capacity necessary to perform the services required by the RFP. Further, the submitter, and team members, must have good past and present performance.
2. Implementation Plan - The proposer’s ability and capacity to provide all services described in the RFP to achieve the Center’s goals effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with CPkD’s specifications.
3. Personnel - Key personnel and subcontractor teams assigned to or committed to this contract have the appropriate professional qualifications and experience to successfully manage the Center.
4. Financial Proposal - The reasonableness of the submitter’s proposed annual management fee, the annual management fee retainage, and estimated annual operating budget will be taken into account.
The EC determined that CSP presented an impressive and responsible proposal, considering all evaluation criteria, to manage the Center. A subsidiary of CSP’s parent company currently manages the Center and had done so since the Center opened in 2003. The EC felt CSP had a very strong plan to manage the unique nature of the Center which includes many specialty features and activities not commonly found in other CPkD parks. Their decades of management experience and vision and passion for the customer experience, cleanliness, facility management and public safety aligns with that of CPkD.
CSP’s parent company is a national leader in roller rink operations for over 50 years. They manage 21 rinks including rinks located in Tampa, FL, Indianapolis, IN and Glendale, AZ. Their leadership contributes to the positive image of the Center among local residents.
CSP has the demonstrated experience and capability to manage and operate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Entertainment Center. Therefore, it is in the best interest of CPkD to recommend them for this award.
VI. General Conditions
1) Conflicts: The Agreement shall not be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of 50 ILCS 105, the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.
2) Ethics: The Agreement shall contain a provision requiring compliance with Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District (“Governmental Ethics”).
3) Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to Section 17(i) of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/17(i).
4) Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Contractor has submitted a full and complete EDS.