The big news coming out of last weekend’s Cubs Convention was the latest plan to renovate Wrigley Field.  Chairman Tom Ricketts said that the team would fund the renovations, expected to be around $300 million, without public assistance in exchange for the city lifting some of the restrictions related to the stadium’s landmark designation.  The renovations, expected to start following the 2014 season and continue over the next 5 offseasons, includes larger concourses, additional restaurants, more bathroom and concession areas, expanded suites, a new roof, and new seats.  Also included are new amenities for the players, including a larger home clubhouse, batting cages and additional training facilities.  From the outside, the façade would be returned to its 1930s-era luster.

Wrigley Field, built in 1914 for the Chicago Whales of the old Federal League, has been the home of the Cubs since 1916.  It is the second oldest park still in use, behind Boston’s Fenway Park.  The Cubs have been looking to renovate the stadium for years, but have been stymied by, among other things, the landmark status, the desire for public funds, and the bankruptcy of their former owner, the Tribune Company.  The renovations are badly needed if the stadium is to continue to be used as anything beyond a museum.  The players facilities are antiquated compared to the rest of the league, making it all the more difficult to attract top-flight free agents.  The seating bowl has had its own issues, starting with the multiple incidents of falling concrete in 2004 that led to netting being installed throughout much of the upper deck.

These planned renovations are still nearly 2 years away and the Cubs have had numerous plans go by the wayside in the past few years.  Unfortunately, time is probably running out on the viability of Wrigley Field as a long-term alternative if nothing is done.  Hopefully this plan does go through and Wrigley Field continues to be the home of the Cubs for years to come.