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Some of the things you’ve been hearing about the Wrigley Field construction project have turned out to be true.
I'm not in Chicago so couldn't participate in this, but the Cubs gave a tour of the ballpark to Chicago-based media Monday and according to several tweets, the left- and center-field bleachers will in fact open as scheduled May 11, but the right-field bleachers will be delayed beyond that. Here's some of the most important info:
#Cubs say LF and CF bleachers ready for "occupancy" by May 11, with work still going on. RF early June
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) March 2, 2015
Cubs facilities chief Carl Rice clarifies for Crane. Says RF video board WILL be delayed to late May or early June.
— Danny Ecker (@DannyEcker) March 2, 2015
We came in by LF entrance. The side of concourse by street will be partially covered until June. Temp concessions & restrooms until then.
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) March 2, 2015
Steel construction has been hampered by cold. Lost 5 of last nine days because of cold, per Kenney. #Cubs
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) March 2, 2015
Given that, President of Business Operations Crane Kenney says they hope to ramp up work:
Crane said they're asking city to let them work beyond "8-8" am/pm time limits. Thanks city, Rahm and Tunney for help.
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) March 2, 2015
So, when tickets go on sale this Friday, March 6, they will be selling bleacher tickets for games starting May 11. Obviously, with right field closed, they’ll sell fewer tickets to games before whatever date they think right field will be open. A later tweet from ESPN Chicago's Jon Greenberg indicated that the right-field bleacher opening would probably be "mid-June," which likely means the homestand beginning June 11 against Cincinnati. By then the Cubs will have played 28 home games.
Here are some photos from the inside of Wrigley, via tweets from the reporters who were there:
New foundation in the concourse and what will be he new west gate at Wrigley: pic.twitter.com/mzuFoySiKD
— Danny Ecker (@DannyEcker) March 2, 2015
Inside the site #Cubs pic.twitter.com/soY8COaDJb
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) March 2, 2015
All these support beams are new in the concourse. Replaced a lot of steel and concrete: pic.twitter.com/AzsxF53fU3
— Danny Ecker (@DannyEcker) March 2, 2015
Crane showing me around. No jokes here. Wild project. pic.twitter.com/TqNhh320zP
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) March 2, 2015
Work continues on the triangle plaza, where they're laying foundation for new team clubhouse: pic.twitter.com/6zDK73z3Xa
— Danny Ecker (@DannyEcker) March 2, 2015
Finally, I know you were likely quite concerned about this, and here’s the definitive word:
Some of the bathroom will not be finished until May or June and there will still be troughs, gentlemen #Cubs
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) March 2, 2015
They'll be playing baseball here in 34 days!
Let's play two! #Cubs pic.twitter.com/Gb0WFH8ZTe
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) March 2, 2015