Commissioners cheer on donated Skokie Playfield scoreboard

Plans to install a scoreboard dedicated to a Winnetka father and youth sports coach are moving forward.

At the Winnetka Park Board’s regular meeting on Thursday, April 24, commissioners unanimously approved both a donation agreement and design plans for the scoreboard, which will be installed at Skokie Playfield and dedicated to Luke Laidley.

As previously reported by The Record, Laidley, 43, a Winnetka resident since 2019, drowned in Lake Michigan in 2023 after diving off a boat to help children who had fallen into the water while tubing.

In December, Laidley’s wife, Lauren Laidley, shared her idea with commissioners, who all voiced support for scoreboard.

Speaking at the meeting on Thursday, Lauren Laidley said her husband, who had coached youth sports at Skokie Playfield, would frequently say that a scoreboard was a needed addition to the field.

Not long after Luke Laidley’s passing, The School of Saints Faith Hope and Charity, where the Laidley children attend school, dedicated a football game to him. During that game, Lauren Laidley said the home team won with 22 points, which she said was her husband’s favorite number.

“From that night, I knew a scoreboard in Luke’s honor at the Skokie Playfield would be the perfect way to give back to our community, who has so graciously given us so much, as well as honoring Luke and his love and passion for youth sports,” Lauren Laidley said.

The donation, from the Damico Family Foundation, will provide up to $60,000 for the installation of the scoreboard.

“I think (the scoreboard) will be a great addition to the community, the field out here, and a great way to honor Luke,” said Shannon Nazzal, executive director of the Winnetka Park District.

Costa Kutulas, director of parks and maintenance, said the park district worked with New Trier High School and North Shore Country Day School to narrow down their options for scoreboard design firms. This led to the park district working with Sievert Electric on the design.

Kutulas said the park district will next need a certificate of appropriateness from the Village of Winnetka. Once that is approved and a final vote from the Park Board is held, work will begin on the scoreboard.

He estimated the installation will start sometime in August and be completed by September.

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