Chicago Cubs: Tom Ricketts reveals Wrigley renovations could take an extra year

Ricketts reveals “1060 Project” is behind schedule, possibly a year or more

The Chicago Cubs’ renovation of Wrigley Field is an ambitious one to say the least. Four separate phases, spanning over four years. But ole’ Mother Nature doesn’t really abide by schedule. And the early winter that hit Chicago may have set the project back nearly a year.

At a City Club of Chicago luncheon, Cubs’ chairman Tom Ricketts revealed that there was likely four years of work left to do from now, which was the original timeframe of the project to start.

“There will be four more years,” Ricketts said Wednesday after speaking at a City Club of Chicago luncheon. “The way we project it now is four more years of construction.” h/t David Just, Chicago Sun-Times

The original plan had the final phase being completed in the offseason before 2018. Cubs’ spokesman Dennis Culloton confirmed the project could indeed take another year, possibly more.

“That could still be the way it works out,” Culloton said of the original four-phase plan. “But it could take longer. Just take this winter for example, and we have found not only the problem with the weather but the water pipes that we had no control over. It could be four years, it could be five. It’s hard to say.”

The “1060 Project” was to be broken into four phases. The first, which began this offseason, was structural work on the bleachers, and the addition of the video boards in right and left field–as well as new restrooms. The hope is that the left field video board will be ready for Opening Night. The right field board is being held up by bleacher construction.

The second phase was to include a new home clubhouse–which the team desperately needs as theirs is severely outdated–as well as bullpens and an outdoor plaza.

Phase three would include a new visitors clubhouse, a new umpires room, and upgraded luxury suites.

The final phase, scheduled to be ready for 2018, included a new hotel and a renovated press box.

There was an also a report from CBS Chicago’s Dave Wischnowsky that Major League Baseball was getting involved on a “Plan B” for the opener, which would see the Cubs open up at U.S. Cellular Field.

Cubs.com reporter Carrie Muskat later said there was no truth to the rumors. 

“Even a goat would tell you this reaches an absolute new low for Wrigley rumors,” Cubs spokesman Julian Green said Wednesday. “‎All is proceeding well and we look forward to Opening Night at Wrigley Field.”

The Cubs could be four years behind schedule on this project, and I still couldn’t see them moving an Opening Night against the Cardinals to the South side.

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