Three More Detailed Images Of The Proposed Arlington Park Bears Stadium And Fall In The Suburbs Looks Like It's Going To Be Delightful
Honestly, after seeing these images the last couple of days if you're not on board with Arlington then I don't know what to tell you. Can you imagine getting on the train in the morning with an ice cold frosty 24oz Miller Lite, finishing it over a smooth 45 minute metra ride as you flip the seat around so your four buddies are all facing each other on the way to the game. Get off the train and see the stadium the the West, the cool air in your nose along with smoke from grilled sausages that are just wafting through the breeze as you make your way through what looks like an arboretum. Absolutely class. A wonderful way to spend a fall day. You could fucking picnic on that lawn and not even go to the game and still have a great time.
As cool as it is to have the Bears playing in prime real estate along the lake the game day experience largely sucks. Small stadium, nightmare transportation, can't take a piss without being gone from your seat for an hour. This move allows the Bears to take their seat at the table with real NFL franchises. The Forbes valuation, which isn't the be all end all, went up 42% based strictly on the potential of this move.
Advertisement
We all want the Bears to be a first rate organization and it is hard to do that when they play their home games in one of the league's worst stadiums. Bears games and this stadium will be a destination. That unlocks a lot of potential that won't be there when you're constantly fighting city hall.
The only thing I am disappointed with is the dome element.
Ted Phillips is reportedly retiring. Hopefully he's out before the final plans are drawn.
I am sure a retractable roof is expensive. That didn't stop Atlanta, Indy, Houston, Arizona, Arlington baseball and football, Milwaukee Brewers, or the Mariners from putting one in. The retractable roof is about fan experience and enjoyment. We want to be outside for football on nice days. The return is doing something for the fans. The Bears have been around for over 100 years and most alive today haven't had many good football memories. Maybe suck it up and finance the roof to give people what they want which is windburn in December. A cultural identity. Other than that…I'll help load the moving vans.
Great touch by the Bears to include WSD and me in the renderings
Advertisement
Full Bears season preview with Big Cat below