Polish Highlanders Alliance Eyes New Home in Orland Park
The Polish Highlanders Alliance of North America’s local chapter is considering relocating its home base from Chicago’s Southwest Side to the southwest suburbs. Orland Park officials, led by Mayor Jim Dodge, are keen on establishing a potential cultural center in the village.
On May 29, Mayor Dodge hosted representatives from the organization alongside about 200 residents at Signature Barn Banquet Hall. They discussed plans for a cultural center northwest of Interstate 80 and La Grange Road. Mayor Dodge stated, “I’d love to see that development in Orland. Anything that attracts people to Orland Park benefits our commercial base and the community.”
The Polish Highlanders Alliance is in talks to buy a vacant commercial site near the Interstate 80 and La Grange Road corridor. St. Xavier University currently owns the property. According to Krzysztof Zoltek, the organization’s secretary general, the existing center at 4808 S Archer Ave. no longer meets the needs of a dispersed Polish American population. He remarked, “It was built with community effort and artisanal work, but moving it to where the community now resides isn’t possible.”
Zoltek mentioned that they have been exploring locations in the southwest suburbs because many members travel long distances for events. Finding a suitable place with space for a 1,000-seat banquet hall and outdoor activities has been challenging. During the village’s Pierogi with Mayor Jim Dodge event on May 29, around 200 people gathered at Orland Park’s Signature Barn Banquet Hall.
Zoltek added, “As Polish Highlanders, our roots are in a pastoral culture. We love outdoor activities and picnics.” The parcel under consideration is priced at $3 million, with construction costs for the new center estimated at $15 million. Although the cost is steep, the organization remains interested in working with Orland Park, thanks to the opportunity to engage with the mayor and local community on May 29.
He noted, “We received offers and inquiries, but engaging with the community through Mayor Dodge’s support is invaluable. It opens dialogue and introduces us to see if there’s a mutual fit.”
Mayor Dodge, who grew up near the Polish Highlanders Alliance’s current base, acknowledges the Polish American community’s vibrant culture. He understands that financial concerns may impede the move to Orland Park but is eager to assist through the approval process, should they proceed. “Preserving cultural heritage is crucial for keeping language, music, art, and culture alive,” Dodge emphasized. “Such assets provide the community with a sense of place and continuity.”