A five-year construction project
Since 2013, the Rickett's family proposed and started to renovate Wrigley Field to look and feel more modern like some other parks. Some of these changes include the two new video boards and the bleachers being completely rebuilt. Some of the other behind the scenes renovation include the new clubhouse. But the Rickett’s did not stop there! They also started renovation outside of Wrigley Field into Wrigleyville. Some of the renovations include adding a hotel for fans and players to stay that is connected to Wrigley so the guest does not have to cross the busy roads surrounding Wrigley Field.
So what can fans expect different for the 2017 season?
What fans can expect for the 2017 season
Some of the new changes fans may see come Opening Day at Wrigley Field are the bullpens will be relocated underneath the bleachers with extra seating where they use to be. As well as the seats behind home plate being replace there will also be an exclusive club add underneath called American Airlines 1914 Club. Which will not be finished until the 2018 season. There will be a total of four exclusive VIP club around the field. All four of them will roll out by 2020. There will also be continued construction done to the office building, plaza, and hotel. The plaza is to be finished by sometime during the 2017 season according to what Tom Ricketts said at the 2017 Cubs Convention.
There has also been some facelifting along Addison and some structural replacement of the steel and concrete that has held up Wrigley for over 100 years. Ricketts reassure fans that the main construction will be done for Opening Day in April.
Future Features from the construction
The hotel named as Hotel Zachary will not open until early 2018.
This hotel will also include some restaurants like Big Star, Smoke Daddy BBQ and two other Chicago eateries located underneath Hotel Zachary.
In conclusion, the five-year construction project to modernize Wrigley Field is at the last stretch with all the main building and features done by 2018 and the remaining exclusive VIP clubs done by 2020. This 2017 season the Chicago Cubs have more excitement than ever and some high expectations to win two championships in a row.
