Levine: New Wrigley Bleachers Might Not Be Done By Opening Day
By Bruce Levine-
(CBS) -- The Chicago Cubs are preparing for the worst-case scenario with the bleacher renovation of Wrigley Field.
Due to unprecedented cold in November, the concrete work that must be cured in the final stages of the renovation might not be finished for the team's home opener on April 5 against St Louis.
The Cubs are preparing to move fans who have season tickets in the bleachers to other seats if the new construction isn't complete for the start of the 2015 campaign.
"We will relocate our bleacher fans if necessary," team spokesman Julian Green said. "We are working on relocation plans if the bleachers are not finished by Opening Day. We are also working on a refund policy if that is not satisfactory to certain fans."
Concrete can be poured in cold temperatures, but to affix seats and bolts to bleacher benches, it will take 21 consecutive days for concrete to cure before that work can begin. That means temperatures must average above 40 degrees for the settling process to be ready.
The first phase of the ballpark renovation includes the restoration and raising of the bleachers by three feet. This new back wall of the outfield will be able to accommodate a jumbo videoboard in left field and six other signs for advertising. A large Budweiser display will be affixed in right-center field.
Three hundred new bleacher seats are supposed to be added in this phase of the ballpark restoration.