Wrigley Field changes for 2010 will include a "refacing" on the back of the historic scoreboard. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
By Paul Sullivan
The Cubs are making several changes at Wrigley Field in 2010, including a "refacing" of the back of the historic center-field scoreboard.
"The facing itself is literally falling apart, and it's an important part (of Wrigley Field), it's iconic for us," president Crane Kenney said. "We're tearing it all apart and rebuilding it."
The front of the scoreboard will remain the same. The back has a neon sign that says "Chicago Cubs," which will remain the same. There will be no ads put on the back of the scoreboard for now.
"That's not to say we're not looking at some marketing opportunities," Kenney said. "People are aware of what we're doing in left field."
The Cubs recently installed two large wooden boards in the left-field bleachers to give potential sponsors a look at what their ad can look like. The boards also obstructed the view of the Horseshoe Casino ad on a Waveland Avenue rooftop in camera views. They were taken down last week, but are likely to be installed for good before the 2010 season.
"There will be an announcement for that area at some point," Kenney said. "It's an important spot for us because it doesn't obscure our rooftop partners."
Kenney said the obstruction of the Horseshoe Casino ad was "incidental," though the Cubs do not generate any money from the ad.
"Does it impact that building? Yes," he said. "Was that the goal for us to do this? No."
The Cubs are also knocking down the walls of six suites in the left-field corner and building a club on the mezzanine level. The club, which is expected to be sponsored, will be open to those who buy season tickets in groups of two and fours. It will be somewhat akin to the Stadium Club in the right field corner of U.S. Cellular Field, though the capacity will be around 80 because of the smaller size.
Another addition, for the short term, will be a temporary skating rink being built on corner of Clark and Waveland Avenues, west of the ballpark. The rink will be operated by the Chicago Park District. A price has not been announced, though it's expected to be no more than $5 per skater.
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Get rid of the chain link fence on top of the beautiful ivy covered walls. The "basket" is actually new. It is not traditional
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How about fixing the TEAM first and then the scoreboard.
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So many comments, so few well thought out points..
Who takes a crap at the ball park???
Why would you tear down something that is in huge demand? 120,000 season ticket waiting list kind of demand? Yeah, looks like demand is plummeting for Cub tickets. I guess were right around the corner from the bad old days of "7,000 fans showing up.." Dumbest comment I've read on this site all week, and they’re some really dumb comments on this website.
Sorry friend, but the vast majority of ticket holders are individuals, like me who has season tickets. And apparently they’re now 700 fewer corporate seats for you to B & M about..
Miller Park is a very nice ball yard and it did indeed sell over 3 million tickets last year. But I'd bet $100 dollars it won't next year, or the year after that..
"Kenney said the obstruction of the Horseshoe Casino ad was "incidental," though the Cubs do not generate any money from the ad."
Typical Havard educated lawyer...does he really think folks are that dumb?
FYI to those bagging on Miller Park...they drew 3 million in 2009.
Funniest part of this is the scoreboard and how Kenney says they will not be putting advertising on the back. They can't...it's landmarked and the Landmarks Commission would have to approve any and all changes. Again, does he really think we are all that dumb because we know he would plaster the backside of that scoreboard with ads if he could get away with it.
Being a Cubs fan located in Milwaukee I can say that Milwaukee IS a baseball town. Sure they are not the largest market in the world, but they "love them some Brewers." The team used to not sell out or draw large crowds in the early 2000's but since they have players like Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Ricky Weeks as well as other young upcoming good players, tehy draw much better and a much beter product. The stadium also is very nice, and contrary to your belief, it is hard to get tickets on the day of a game now. They sold out last year, not just a game, the entire season, hence games not against my loved Cubs.
If Wrigley wants large upgrades, get them to convince the city the roads aroudn the outfield should be one way roads, thus allowing an expansion to an upper deck outfield bleachers. More seats and revenue.
Otherwise I still go to Wrigley to see baseball, the best way to improve the park would to have security take care of the drunks and jerks in the stadium and kick em out. No exceptions and it would become a much more fan friendly ballpark if enforced, and would have people that cared about the sport there. That is the sorriest thing about Wrigley, too many people could not name half the players our there, on either team.
Even the most die hard cubs fans can admit Wrigley could use some touching up. The new ownership should take a cue from The Red Sox and Packers and renovate/update their stadium without losing its history. It can be done. There has been nothing but rave reviews for Lambeau and Fenway since their facelifts.
I dont want to get in the middle of the "which stadium is better" argument because they all have their pros and cons, but Miller Park was 9th in attendance last year in the smallest market in baseball with an average team. That's saying something.
And why would they raise ticket prices after a washout season? Where is this money going? Buying more overpaid prima donna players I assume, certainly not towards upgrading locker rooms or stadium facilities. Oh, wait. They're refacing the scoreboard. They need to reface the lineup.
There seem to be a lot of whining about the bathrooms. I go to Wrigley at least 5 times a year and I live in AZ. The bathroom is just a place to piss in a bowl, and then wash your hands. Hopefully you spending most of your time at Wrigley watching a baseball game, not walking around and judging the bathroom facilities. I have been to 25 of the current stadiums in the league, and I enjoy Wrigley and Fenway more than any other stadium, because of the stadium itself the teams and the fans. I could care less if they had porta potty's at the stadium. The ones that complain about the bathrooms, are probably the same people that enjoy having a bathroom valet, that hands you a napkin, and probably would like some perfume to spray on and maybe a selection of gums or candy too, correct? Or perhaps they are just used to their princess bathrooms at home, that have candles and special decorative towels, that you don't really use. It's a baseball game. Have fun and piss in a troft, who gives a shit?
There seem to be a lot of whining about the bathrooms. I go to Wrigley at least 5 times a year and I live in AZ. The bathroom is just a place to piss in a bowl, and then wash your hands. Hopefully you spending most of your time at Wrigley watching a baseball game, not walking around and judging the bathroom facilities. I have been to 25 of the current stadiums in the league, and I enjoy Wrigley and Fenway more than any other stadium, because of the stadium itself the teams and the fans. I could care less if they had porta potty's at the stadium. The ones that complain about the bathrooms, are probably the same people that enjoy having a bathroom valet, that hands you a napkin, and probably would like some perfume to spray on and maybe a selection of gums or candy too, correct? Or perhaps they are just used to their princess bathrooms at home, that have candles and special decorative towels, that you don't really use. It's a baseball game. Have fun and piss in a troft, who gives a shit?
comments like the these are why america makes fun of the cubs and their fans. Seriously get over the whole "we sell out ballparks" thing and move on........we get it, people love wrigley. selling out stadiums doesnt win championships
Why would they tear down a stadium that sells out almost every game?!? That's just plain silly. And for those of you who say you won't go because of the washrooms, I don't think they care because, well, they still sell out almost every game without you there. Go to Comiskey if you want new and modern (and crappy). If they were to build a new stadium we'd be looking at 30-35% attendance rates just like new Comiskey and Miller Park... but apparently you'd be happy because they'd have cleaner restrooms. Stay home and watch the games on TV you pansies! And no, MillerPark, most of the people at the games are regular folk, not "company owned tickets holders/guests and people from out of town coming for the "experience." as you claim.
RealityCheck -- how many world series have the cubs been to in the last 30 years???? Oh yeah, one less than that Milwaukee team... Doofus.
There's a major league baseball team that plays at Clark and Addison?
Josh - you're NOT comparing Miller to Wrigley are you? OMG, Miller is a GREAT park, Wrigley is a real dump, and I'm neutral, heck I'm a Yankees fan. I's Vietnam Vet and I'd rather go out in the jungle and wipe with a leaf than the Men's Room at Wrigley. Some day the Cubs will go back to having 7000 people show up for the games. Most who attend now are company owned tickets holders/guests and people from out of town coming for the "experience."
Wake up Chicago. The stadium is decaying, too old, and too small for any significant improvements. The cubs should have abandoned Wrigley Field 40 years ago. Let's get a new and modern stadium like the other sports franchises have in this town and move on.
Wake up Chicago. The stadium is decaying, too old, and too small for any significant improvements. The cubs should have abandoned Wrigley Field 40 years ago. Let's get a new and modern stadium like the other sports franchises have in this town and move on.
nice to see Miller Stadium South getting some upgrades.
KEEP THE SCOREBOARD!!!! TEAR DOWN WRIGLEY INSTEAD. for crap sakes, are they a bunch politicians trying to take our mind off the real subject? That the Cubs SUCK?
What about the TEAM?? I hope they update the TEAM also. Until then I'm NOT visiting Wrigley Field.
The "CUBS" part of the back of the scoreboard has had burnt out lights for over a year.
What about the washrooms? I hope they update the washrooms also. Until then I'm not visiting Wrigley Field.
By "refacing" they really mean "installing a huge High Def screen."