Some two months after a devastating fire at Oak Forest Bowl, the scene looks much the same, with charred rubble mixed with melted and twisted steel.
The May 6 fire at the business, 15240 S. Cicero Ave., left little remaining except for portions of an outdoor patio area, called The Park, which included sand volleyball courts and bean bag courts.
Mayor Hank Kuspa said he has talked with owner Keith Tadevich about the property, and “he’s still trying to work things out with insurance.”
“They are trying to get it together and rebuild at that site,” Kuspa said. “His vision is to rebuild bigger and better.”
Tadevich could not be reached for comment regarding plans for the property. Kuspa said he spoke with the owner in the middle of June.
“We would love to see him rebuild as soon as possible,” Kuspa said. “It’s an important business not only to Oak Forest but surrounding communities as well because of the people it draws to our city.”
Firefighters were dispatched about 2:30 a.m. May 6 to the business.
The Tadevich family has owned the 32-lane Oak Forest Bowl since 1997 and also owns and operates Burr Oak Bowl in Blue Island. Summer leagues that had been set to roll at Oak Forest have been shifted to Burr Oak, according to Oak Forest Bowl’s Facebook page.
Kuspa said Tadevich had asked about temporarily reopening The Park, including the sand volleyball courts.
“Without basic sanitary facilities such as bathrooms we couldn’t do that,” the mayor said.
Kuspa said that Tadevich wants to expand the offerings to include more than bowling, including some sort of indoor golf facility.
“Nothing is etched in stone at this point,” Kuspa said.
While the site has remained unchanged, Kuspa said “we are not putting any pressure on him right now” to clear the debris.
“I want to extend every possible courtesy to him,” he said.
mnolan@tribpub.com
