We were in favor of Northwestern University’s new stadium from the start. For one thing, the plans arrived funded almost in totality by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan family to the tune of some $850 million. (We used to talk about $800 million, but another $50 million now appears to have been added to the pot.) For another, it looked like a major enhancement to the fan experience and, more importantly, to what Northwestern would be able to offer its student athletes in terms of training facilities and a safe, supportive playing space. And, of course, the build brought major economic development to cash-strapped Evanston in terms of construction jobs and permitting fees, even before the stadium opened.
The fevered, lawyered-up objections of the NIMBY crew who lived near the stadium over a handful of concerts each year struck us as overwrought (although we lost a few friends there, hopefully temporarily). We felt that way especially since the capacity of the new stadium was being reduced from 47,130 to about 35,000. Given the demographic in northwest Evanston, we thought, and still think, it more likely that those neighbors (or their offspring) would be chilling on their lawns and listening to music wafting through the air than suffering from unacceptable traffic or familial stress.
And, of course, all this is happening in noted contrast to the ongoing mishegoss surrounding the Chicago Bears, who keep lurching from one potential new stadium location to the next (The Lakefront! Arlington Heights! The Michael Reese site!) without ever really answering the one question that matters most: How do they plan to pay for it without seeking an unpopular public subsidy?
Now, Northwestern has released more details of the new Ryan Field (initially to ESPN) and our enthusiasm only grows. According to Pat Ryan Jr., who took some shots at the University of Michigan as he lauded the stadium’s steel-aided departure from traditional bowled stadiums, the worst seat in this new stadium will be “100 feet closer to the field than the most expensive seat at the Big House.” And if the way things have been going this season is a guide, the quality of football at Ryan Field will be just as good as Big Blue.
Ryan also promised a view from the seats superior to the one to be had sitting in front of your huge basement TV screen. That might seem flippant, but high-definition TV broadcasts, which get better and better with each passing year, now are serious competition for showing up in person and supporting the student athletes. The new Ryan Field, which appears to draw from the great soccer stadiums of Europe, likely will be a model for the future.
We think all of those grumpy neighbors will enjoy the stadium, which likely will host college sports other than football once it opens, especially if Northwestern offers some family-friendly seasonal festivals and the like. Time will tell, of course, but something cool is rising on Central Street and taxpayers are not footing the bill.
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