Wallace Bowl restoration needs another level of funding, officials say

Restoration of the Wallace Bowl in Wilmette’s Gillson Park will likely need more collaboration, according to a recent study.

Improvement of the park district’s outdoor venue has been the focus of Ouilmette Foundation fundraising for about a year, but a feasibility study shows the campaign likely will not reach the extensive cost of the project, said Steve Wilson, Wilmette Park District executive director, in a report on Sept. 9.

Improvements to the Wallace Bowl — from masonry work to landscaping – could cost more than $3 million, according to a 2023 presentation from Woodhouse Tinucci Architects.

Wilson’s report on Sept. 9 also mentioned that residents were hesitant on contributing to the Wallace Bowl campaign without knowing the park district’s commitment. Wilson said the park district will review its role in the project’s funding as it builds its 2025 budget.

The venue, originally called the Wilmette Outdoor Amphitheater, opened in 1946 and was dedicated to Gordon Wallace, superintendent of Wilmette parks from 1936-1968. In 1982, the Wallace Bowl was in a deteriorating condition, and the Ouilmette Foundation was formed to raise funds for repairs and expansions.

Today, the amphitheater hosts the Sounds of Summer concert series each year, as well as family movie nights and theater performances. It is also a popular venue during the town’s Independence Day festivities.

Since 2014, the Ouilmette Foundation has supported the park district’s annual scholarship fund and other projects. It was tapped in 2023 to go back to its roots to see if it could help with the Wallace Bowl’s newest restoration.

The foundation geared its annual beach bash toward the campaign, calling it Back the Bowl, as well as other programming.

Foundation President Holly Gilson said support for Wallace Bowl’s restoration is substantial and the foundation will continue to fundraise for the Wallace Bowl.

“What’s really exciting is the feasibility work around the Wallace Bowl is a great thing that’s happened,” she said. “It’s made it very apparent to us how important the Wallace Bowl is to the village and its residents.”

She added, “We’re just at a point where there’s a great feeling of galvanization around the project. (Next steps) will be quickly determined in next few months.” 

Gilson said in October the foundation should have a better idea of its fundraising gains and how it should move forward. And conversations with the park district and its level of participation in the project are ongoing, she said.

At the same time, the foundation is seeking large-scale donors and planning fundraising events for 2025.

“We’re doing our best to work on both parallel tracks,” she said.

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