No Free Peek
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Feb 9, 2006 7:33PM
Remember when the Cubs were pitching their Wrigley field expansion plans, trying to get city and neighbor sign-off? Remember all the new features they promised? Now that the park construction is well underway, it turns out that the Cubs have changed the plans for a number of features.
When the team first circulated their plans to the neighborhood, the hyped a "Batter's Eye Restaurant" that would allow bleacher fans a "chance to view the game through tinted glass while eating in a new enclosed area in center field." Now, the plans call for a 75-100 fan luxury suite that can be rented out for groups, but is not open to the regular bleacher ticket holders. So, it kind of sounds like the Cubs are building their own "rooftop" inside the park!
Another feature the Cubs oversold was the "keyhole" in the right field wall. The hole was originally was supposed to offer fans outside the park a free ground-level view from behind a chain-link fence on Sheffield. Consulting architect John Vinci, said in December the idea was to "give something back to the people." How warm and fuzzy!
Only now, the Cubs are chaning their story. Team executive vice-president of business operations Mark McGuire now says, "the person on the sidewalk who hasn't bought a ticket isn't entitled" to a free look at the game.
He explained that, "The feature is really intended to be a plus for a commuter as he or she walks from their homes to the L. They will be able to walk by any time, any day, and look into the ballpark." Because after a long day at the office, nothing beats a peak through a hole into an empty Wrigley Field. However, if you're dying to peek in the hold, better adjust your commune around game times -- the team is considering a windscreen over the hole to block the view during games.
In addition to those two revisions to park features, McGuire announced that the new bleacher "box seats" will cost $60. Sixty dollars?!? For a bleacher seat? Chicagoist remembers as a kid when bleacher seats cost a nickle! OK, we're not that old, but we remember when they were a dollar or two more than a movie ticket. They do sell $15 bleacher tickets for "value" games, but who wants to brave the April chill to watch the Pirates? Regular bleacher seats are $30 and premium games are $40. We want to know, with even regular bleacher seats already so pricey, why not just buy a regular bleacher seat and one of these seats? It only costs about as the price premium for one upgrade to bleacher box seats.