With just weeks left until the team’s 2018 home opener, the Chicago Cubs say that construction for major upgrades at Wrigley Field remains on schedule.
As part of the ongoing renovations to Wrigley Field, the Cubs are set to introduce several major changes this year. The addition of a new premium space–the American Airlines 1914 Club–highlights this round of renovations, which will also include the relocation and expansion of the dugouts, upgraded cell service, and extended netting.
The Cubs will begin the upcoming season with a 10-game road trip, before arriving at Wrigley Field for their home opener on April 9. While construction for some of the bigger pieces of the ongoing renovation continues, Cubs business president Crane Kenney says that the work remains on schedule to be completed in time for the 2018 season. More from The Chicago Tribune:
As for Wrigley, machinery and boards will be removed this weekend, followed by plumbing checks for irrigation issues before the field is installed.
Four of the eight new concession stands, the installation of a new elevator to the suite level and a cell phone service upgrade will be ready for the opener, Kenney said. Plus, extended netting will be tapered long the first and third base dugouts.
“Folks are nervous about opening day, but I’m here to remind everybody we’re on track,” Kenney said. “In fact, a couple of days ahead of schedule.”
Though no new ballparks are on tap for this season, several teams around Major League Baseball are completing extensive upgrades to their home facilities, and the Cubs are certainly part of that trend. Our own Kevin Reichard recently took a closer look at major ballpark upgrades around MLB for the 2018 season.
RELATED STORIES: Cubs Announce More Wrigley Field Upgrades, Extended Netting