The Chicago Bears’ new stadium remains a work in progress, but a recent update indicates the organization has shifted its focus to the Chicago lakefront.
During Super Bowl Opening Night, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about the importance of a new stadium.
“I think it’s important to the Chicago Bears, their fans, and I also think it’s important to that community,” Goodell said, via WGN.
According to Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business, the Bears are re-focusing on the lakefront in Chicago as the location to construct their new stadium instead of Arlington Heights.
The Bears would build a state-of-the-art domed stadium on the Soldier Field south lot with the goal of hosting Super Bowls, Final Fours and other events, which was the plan in Arlington Heights, as well.
Goodell believes a domed stadium would provide an opportunity for Chicago to host a Super Bowl, among other events, in the future.
“As we’ve seen here (in Las Vegas), a great stadium can host additional events. I think that’s true in Chicago,” Goodell said. “I think the domed stadium that their talking about, both in downtown and potentially in Arlington Heights, I think those are both great opportunities I think they need to explore.”
While the Chicago lakefront is the new focus, the organization is still far off from finalizing any stadium plans.
“The good news is that they have quite a bit of time on their lease and the Bears are committed to being in Chicagoland,” Goodell said. “I think they’ll be able to develop a proposal good for the fans, but I also think it will be great for Chicago.”
