One of America’s most prized historic ballparks, Wrigley Field, was built in 1914, and the owners of the Cubs have tried to keep it in its original form since then, but Wrigley Field has received some renovations in 2016.

“After years of working on a solution to save and improve Wrigley Field, we are thrilled to break ground on The 1060 Project,” said Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts in an Oct. 11, 2014, press release about the groundbreaking ceremony. “This day marks a significant milestone in our quest to provide our players and fans with the best facilities in baseball.”

The most notable changes to Wrigley this year were the bleacher expansions, the new clubhouse and the new retail/entertainment addition.

“My favorite spot to sit at Wrigley are in the bleachers because it is the classic baseball experience,” said Junior Cole Coutre.

Ricketts has said in interviews that he wanted to keep the park in perfect shape for future generations of Cub fans while preserving the beauty and charm of the old Wrigley features.

Because the bleachers have been a fan favorite for watching games, there are 300 more seats available, additional concession areas and a 3,990 square foot video board in left field.

The new Wrigley Clubhouse provides players with off-the-field facilities needed to train, rehabilitate injuries and prepare for games. The new clubhouse is more than 30,000 square feet. The clubhouse area includes a locker room for players and coaches, a strength-and-conditioning center, training/hydrotherapy areas, a media center, a 200-seat auditorium and a player lounge.

“The new clubhouse will improve the player’s performances because it will allow them to train and relax at a higher level,” said an eighth grade fan from Fremont Middle School.

The largest renovation is the development for the Wrigleyville neighborhood.  These plans have been outlined on the 1060 Project, the official Cubs website for renovation news.  The plan is to create an open-air plaza outside the ballpark for many activities on non-game days. The Ricketts family has entered a deal with CBS broadcasting to produce fun, outdoor music events. Lastly, the Ricketts family is planning to build a Starwood hotel across the street from the ballpark with 180 rooms.  For more information, visit the website.

While the plans are extensive, not everyone thinks the renovations are that special.

“I think the renovations are decent, but they really are not anything special as of right now,” said Sophomore Tony Rinaldi. “The renovations don’t really change the Wrigley experience for me.”