NEWSLETTER
There’s change coming to Wrigley Field, and I don’t just mean to the roster, the front office, or the coaching staff, though each of those is experiencing some major turnover.
No, the Wrigley Field renovation project is still ongoing – though we’re at last roughly entering the fifth and final phase – and they even got a head start thanks to the Cubs early exit from the postseason! See? More silver linings!
The work of the offseason begins:
And so it begins: Welcome to Wrigley Renovations 2018 Edition. pic.twitter.com/cm5PzWmLWw
— Wrigley Aerials (@WrigleyAerials) October 13, 2018
Seats going missing at Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/mLhilkZs5C
— Wrigley Aerials (@WrigleyAerials) October 15, 2018
And down goes the old Captain Morgan Club / DraftKings Sports Zone pic.twitter.com/HkUn7deYEA
— Wrigley Field (@WrigleyBlog) October 15, 2018
More Saturday deconstruction. pic.twitter.com/791pnms80a
— Wrigley Aerials (@WrigleyAerials) October 16, 2018
As you can see, the Cubs appear to be removing/renovating/updating some of the seats near the left and right field foul poles, as well as tearing down the Captain Morgan Club/Draft Kings Sports Zone. Previously, the Cubs had indicated they were planning a larger, two-story entertainment area there, but the original plans for that were announced several years ago.
Not yet pictured is the work the Cubs intend on doing to the upper deck of the grandstand. If things are still proceeding according to plan, that was to be the focus during this phase of the renovation project. Given that this is the earliest the Cubs have been able to begin construction since the 2014-2015 offseason, you have to imagine they’ll have it done in time for the home opener next April – or at least the bathrooms (remember that?). With the weather being what it is, you can never quite predict with 100% certainty in October what will be completed in April.
Not all of the changes to Wrigley Field have necessarily been improvements, depending on your openness to change, but I think it’s safe to say, on the whole, the big ones have all been good (and are all behind us). Still ahead of us are (the potential for) more upper deck amenities and luxury areas, more bathrooms, renovations to the press box, additional batting cages, a video room, and a weight room for the visiting teams. Per an earlier Tribune report, “A renovated visitors’ clubhouse will be worked on next offseason, but Rice said it may not be completed in time for the start of 2019.” I’m sure the Cubs will be busting it as much as possible to get that one done in time …
It’s been a long time coming, but if you rewind yourself back to 2013-2014 for a moment, I wonder if you would’ve bet the World Series title would’ve come before the end of the renovations. So, I guess, good on the Ricketts family for delivering on their promises and making Wrigley Field a better place from top to bottom. You can see more images, as well as a short demolition video right here.
We’ll keep you updated as more improvements/changes are put in place and the timelines for next season become more clear.
