Renovations to Wrigley Field could take an extra year to finish, as Chicago Cubs ownership is now looking to keep the Friendly Confines a construction zone before the 2019 season.
The $375-million 1060 Project, which will modernize Wrigley Field while maintaining the historic nature of the ballpark, had called for a five-year timeline, with the majority of work taking place in the offseason. That’s why the Cubs committed to the plan and didn’t just shut things down while construction could take place — that’s why Miller Park was considered as a temporary home of the team for 2015 — but it appears that the timeline is already askew. The reconstruction of the famous Wrigley Field bleachers is already way off schedule: originally, team officials said they’d open in May, but we’re now looking at June at the earliest.
And now, with construction, owner Tom Ricketts says to expect at least four more years of construction. From the Chicago Sun-Times:
The first phase of construction, which began this offseason, involved structural steel and concrete work, bleacher restoration and new restrooms. The second phase of the renovation features a new home clubhouse, bullpens, and an outdoor plaza.
The third phase, to begin after the 2016 season, includes a new visitors’ clubhouse, new umpires’ room and renovation of luxury suites.
The final phase, originally scheduled to be completed in 2018, brings a renovated press box and a new hotel.
No word on exactly will be pushed back or rescheduled. Renovating an old ballpark is a laborious project best spread out over time — just ask the Boston Red Sox front office, who spent almost a decade renovating Fenway Park — and there’s always a surprise in the mix.
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