Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
Jason Lieser

Bears to begin demolishing Arlington Park track next week as they move toward new stadium

Demolition on Arlington Heights’ racetrack will begin next week. (Getty)

It’s hard to imagine a new Bears stadium at Arlington Park while the horse racetrack is still there. That won’t be a hindrance much longer.

Arlington Heights issued the Bears a demolition permit Friday, beginning with the interior, and a Bears spokesman said that project will start next week. The Bears will need separate approval from the village and Cook County for exterior demolition.

The permit approval is a formality, but a necessary step as the organization works toward constructing a state-of-the-art stadium and sprawling entertainment district.

The Bears closed on the property in February and have reiterated they are moving ahead with an Arlington Heights stadium as their sole intention. They have not shown any interest in plans to renovate Soldier Field as their home.

“Change is difficult at times, but change is necessary at times,” chairman George McCaskey said at the NFL’s annual meeting in March.

The Bears began their push to leave Soldier Field, where they’ve played since 1971, by bidding on the Arlington Park property two years ago. Their lease of Soldier Field, which is owned by the Chicago Park District, runs through 2033, but they likely will negotiate an early exit if they follow through on their Arlington Heights plan.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.