News, Press Releases, Sports - Sunday, January 17, 2010 6:51 - 0 Comments

A new look for Wrigley Field?

In conjunction with the 100-year anniversary of Wrigley Field in 2014, the Cubs are planning “a complete renovation of the ballpark.”

The project will be called “Wrigley 20-14″ and include construction projects during the season so the Cubs can use it “for another 100 years,” according to President Crane Kenney.

The focal point of the massive restructuring will be the long-talked-about “triangle building” to the west, a project that will include knocking down the outer wall on the third-base side to form a large open-air courtyard that would include concession areas and shops.

In the end, all of the concourse will be widened and include expanded restrooms, some of which will be completed for this season. It also means construction will be ongoing during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Although plans still are sketchy, there also could be a restaurant below the third-base terrace “suites.”

The only parts of the park that will not be reconfigured are the bleachers, which already have been altered by more seats and a restaurant.

“A lot of spots in the ballpark haven’t been touched in years,” Kenney said. “We put millions (of dollars) in every offseason just to keep it moving forward without really changing much.

“We have to be re-thinking long term.”

During a Cubs Convention panel discussion about the business of baseball, Kenney told the audience:

–”I can’t imagine the ballpark not being called Wrigley Field,” when asked about naming rights, even though former Tribune Co. ownership seemed amenable to it.

–The “L” flag will continue to fly for the time being, although there is internal debate about it. Kenney took a show-of-hands survey during the discussion that showed “4- or 5-to-1″ against changing the tradition.

–No Friday night games and no Jumbotron screen will be added soon, if ever, and the Cubs don’t envision going to personal seat licenses for ticket-holders.

dvandyck@tribune.com

Read the original article from WGN Chicago.