New Chicago Stadium?? I haven't been on here in awhile, so I don't know if this has been mentioned recently (if so, mod please delete.) I heard a "rumor" that plans for a SSS near Midway Airport are being developed. My source says, 99% it's going to happen.
Actually the Bridgeview site could be considered "near" Midway Airport as long as you're liberal with the word "near." It's maybe four or five miles from the closest edge of the airport.
That's it, Bridgeview. I couldn't remember the name of the suburb, still not familiar with that area. My source is very credible and close to the organization. I'll leave it at that because, being in the pro sports industry myself I wouldn't want people to get in trouble for saying things that shouldn't be said. I was told that they were offered land by US Cellular Field and that they'd use the same parking lots to stay in Chicago, but they turned that down in favor of Bridgeview.
Yes, this is now 99.9% a sure thing. Possible announcement near MLS cup date.Garber gives speech this Friday.
As far as I'm concerned, you Fire fans deserve a new home, considering how loyal and supportive you've been towards your team. Well done lads.
well, I wouldn't call myself a Fire fan at all, I just live here, have friends with the organization and thought I'd share what I heard. Hopefully once that 99.9% turns into 100%, Uncle Phil will turn his sites on NY and DC.
they've already been turned. The Metros are just about as close as Chicago is in terms of getting a new stadium, and Kevin Payne has mentioned a new place for DC in '06 or '07. (although knowing local politics, this really means '08-'09. Nothing happens fast with DC)
Recent interview with Peter Wilt From a Daily Herald article today (11/19). Sorry I don't have the link. Check the Fire boards if you need/want it. 2nd of the three articles. Q: Where are you with respect to your new stadium? A: We still have the three options: build in Bridgeview, build next to U.S. Cellular, or stay in Soldier Field. We have a meeting in Los Angeles this week, and we continue to talk to all parties. As soon as the next two weeks go by, or the next month, we will make a decision on what direction to go. Q: How has the new Soldier Field worked out as a soccer venue? A: The sight lines are great. I was on the 200 level on the east side for Friday's game and the sight lines are unbelievable. You feel you are right on top of the field. I think it is the best vantage point for a soccer game in all of MLS. Even though it is a 61,000-seat stadium, the verticalness lends itself to viewing any activity. The amenities are phenomenal. For the average group ticket buyer, for a price of $15 to $30, you get a club seat where you can go back into a carpeted area and watch games on plasma TV and sit at a bar. You can sit in leather chairs. It is really a nice way to treat fans at a reasonable price. I'm thrilled with that aspect of Soldier Field. Obviously, there are reasons we are looking to build our own stadium that aren't addressed at Soldier Field. There are too many seats, and there is the lack of control of scheduling, programming, revenues, lack of control of stadium signage. If that is where we end up, we will be very happy and it will be a wonderful place to play soccer for years to come. If we have an opportunity to improve, we have the responsibility to do that.
When I saw the title of the thread I was wondering what ancient basketball arenas have to do with anything.
If this was a 99.9% sure thing, Mr. Garber would say: "We are now in talks about obtaining a new soccer stadium in Chicago". Your 99.9% sure, is just a rumour.
Not if you believe today's article in the Chicago Tribune. It definitely sounds like a real possibility.
Here's a great website with English stadiums. Hopefully the Fire can get some ideas and build a stadium like you see in England with the seats really close to the field.http://www.footballgroundz.co.uk/
The latest I could find on the stadium is this: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-0311200402nov20,1,3941408.story
ok, so $15 mil from the city, $15 mil from the Fire. Thats $30 mil altogether. That still leaves them $45 mil short.