Cubs announce $300 million Wrigley Field renovation project

[popo85]

adding a rooftop patio and installing an LED scoreboard prior to the 2012 season. Now the team plans on going all the way with its renovations to the near 100-year-old stadium, announcing a $300 million project on Saturday during its yearly Cubs convention.

It’s an ambitious plan that probably won’t sit well with those who would like to see Wrigley Field's classic look and atmosphere preserved, but the team is prepared to go forward with it beginning next winter. The Cubs also say the project could take up to five offseasons to complete.

The next order of business, though, will be sorting out the funding. Right now it sounds like the Cubs would be willing to pick up most of the expenses, but they'd also like the city to contribute by easing some of the restrictions on the ballpark. That includes but is not limited to approving more signage inside the park, which would open advertising opportunities and make it easier to maximize profits.


Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said Saturday the team is willing to pay for much of its renovation plan if the city will ease some of the restrictions surrounding Wrigley Field.

“The fact is that when you look at all of the limitations that we have, whether that’s signage in the outfield, which we are not allowed to do, or what kind of stuff we do in the park or around the park, I think we’d just like a little more flexibility to have some options on that stuff,” Ricketts told the media after a question-and-answer session with fans at the Cubs Convention.

“We have an opportunity cost there that’s tremendous. Just give us some relief on some of these restrictions, and we’ll take care of (renovating) Wrigley Field.

The Tribune story notes that Ricketts will continue looking at other alternatives for funding of the project, and will also keep the line of communications open with Mayor Rahm Emanuel as they attempt to find a compromise.

“I hope (we’re close),” Tom Ricketts said. “I think everyone has an incentive. We lost a year this year. We want to get the project rolling. It’s a big economic development for the city. It’s a lot of jobs. It’s something everyone should have incentive to want to get done.”

Ricketts and company have also proposed building a hotel next to Wrigley Field in an attempt to enhance their bid for tax incentives and other government assistance to help pay for the project. That would go on the land they acquired from McDonald's Corp. in 2011.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-bi...3631--mlb.html

Photos on the link-
Wrigley and New Yankee stadium are 2 parks i would definitely want to check out

[Jeffy25]

Glad they are staying

[GA16Angels]

Photos on the link-
Wrigley and New Yankee stadium are 2 parks i would definitely want to check out

I would definitely love to go to Wrigley. I wasn't too impressed by the new Yankee Stadium.

[LordJohn]

I honestly don't like this. Simple renovations are fine, but Wrigley doesn't need a video scoreboard. I'd still love to go to a game there some time. Them playing the Yankees in interleague would provide a good excuse.

[brewboy288]

Apparently the Cubs are planning on playing their home games at Miller Park until the renovations are over. i dont like that as a Brewers fan..

[gaughan333]

Being a cubs fan who has been to wrigley a good amount, upgrades are necessary

[1908_Cubs]

I honestly don't like this. Simple renovations are fine, but Wrigley doesn't need a video scoreboard. I'd still love to go to a game there some time. Them playing the Yankees in interleague would provide a good excuse.

They aren't getting one. They're doing another LED scoreboard in LF like they are in RF. In fact, they're doing away with the digital scoreboard in CF, as well, so they're keeping the same amount of score boards.

All of this was sorely needed. They're re-doing the facade and restoring it to the 1935 look (awesome), a new roof to fix the crumbling wood and concrete (awesome) on the grandstands, re-doing the MLB locker rooms (most notably the home dugout which was easily the smallest in the league), putting in an actual batting cage, and eventually renovating the away clubhouse to a degree as well. Most importantly? No more trough bathrooms as wall as expanding their capacity. And new concessions. All of this was SEVERELY lacking at Wrigley Field.

This is fantastic and just what the doctor ordered.

[Buckwheat]

Apparently the Cubs are planning on playing their home games at Miller Park until the renovations are over. i dont like that as a Brewers fan..

Pretty sure they're doing this over offseasons so they won't need to play anywhere else.

[1908_Cubs]

Apparently the Cubs are planning on playing their home games at Miller Park until the renovations are over. i dont like that as a Brewers fan..

No they're not. Read the article before you say silly stuff. They're doing it in the offseason and the Cubs have already announced it won't hinder their ability to play during the regular season at Wrigley.

[THINKBLUE15]

Cool. The Dodgers are doing major renovations as well.

[Tkais9009]

i went to a cubs cards game at wrigley. It needs some work but its still a great place to watch a game.

and I surprisingly didn't get too much crap wearing my cardinals gear haha

[More-Than-Most]

Not a fan...If your gonna add things just build new....I just do not care much for history.. Its not like they have won a ton or recently.... Burn it down and build new and start fresh.... Eventually it will have to happen anyway so just do it now...It will add a ton to the city wont it?

[goldenstater]

I would definitely love to go to Wrigley. I wasn't too impressed by the new Yankee Stadium.

you know my buddy went out there and said that same thing. He said the atmosphere was kind of weak( no offense to Yankee fans just repeating what he said) and the Stadium wasnt as cool as he thought it would be. im going in april so i can see it anyways. i want to get to Wrigley though so bad!!!

[BcEuAbRsS]

i went to a cubs cards game at wrigley. It needs some work but its still a great place to watch a game.

and I surprisingly didn't get too much crap wearing my cardinals gear haha

It goes both ways, I had get between a drunk Cubs fan and a relatively peaceful Cards fan.

As for the renovations, I'm pumped.

[BcEuAbRsS]

Not a fan...If your gonna add things just build new....I just do not care much for history.. Its not like they have won a ton or recently.... Burn it down and build new and start fresh.... Eventually it will have to happen anyway so just do it now...It will add a ton to the city wont it?

I don't recall the exact terminology, but the stadium is considered a relic thus it can't be torn down.