New Chicago Cub's Spring Training Faciltiy Being Built

July 11th 2012 was the official ground-breaking ceremony on the Chicago Cubs’ new Spring Training facility in Mesa, Arizona, touted as Wrigleyville West. Crammed inside a tent under a pale blue sky and unusually humid conditions, many of those officials connected to the culmination of the $99 million facility were at Mesa’s Riverview Park for the groundbreaking on Wednesday. The city said the ballpark is estimated to cost $84 million and $14 million for infrastructure and currently is $1 million under budget. Any costs over the $99 million, the Cubs have agreed to pay.

It’s pretty exciting, the team’s forthcoming 125-acre facility that will seat 15,000 and resemble Wrigley Field, the Cubs’ iconic ballpark in Chicago. The complex will provide 70 percent of its seating in the shade, a large concourse featuring a party deck in left field, state-of-art weight and training rooms as well as the potential for private commercial development. The Spring Training facilities are expected to be completed late next year, and be ready to go for Spring Training in 2014. The ancillary stuff - The "Wrigleyville West piece" with dining, shopping, etc.  might not be completed until some time thereafter.

Nearly two years ago the Cub's almost uprooted the team and moved them to Naples, Fla to play in the Grapefruit League. While it’s easy to forget, given the current Wrigley renovation impasse/hubbub, getting these new Spring facilities was and is a huge deal for the Cubs. Not only will it help them generate more revenue during Spring Training, and not only will it help optimally prepare players for the season, but it will also be a world class training facility year-round for Cubs minor leaguers and rehabbing vets. It should also be a fun place to see some Spring baseball.

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