Northwestern University is moving forward on plans to host home football games on its lakefront athletic fields while the new Ryan Field is under construction, the university announced in a news release Wednesday.
Construction will begin this summer on a temporary facility surrounding the Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, 2235 Campus Drive, as well as a portion of Hutcheson Field to the south. The facility could hold up to 15,000 spectators for a majority of NU’s 12 home games in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, per the university’s March 26 zoning analysis application.
The news release states the university determined the lakefront site was “the best” of “several options” it reviewed for the next two seasons.
“In addition to creating a wonderful fan experience in the lead-up to the opening of Ryan Field, hosting games on campus will reduce the travel burdens for our student-athletes and fans and will make games much more accessible,” Northwestern President Michael Schill said in the release. “We also are pleased to keep the economic benefits of football gamedays in Evanston.”
City spokesperson Cynthia Vargas confirmed the facility will not need City Council approval for a special use or zoning variances. Seventh Ward Council Member Eleanor Revelle did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Stadium details
The facility will be constructed by InProduction, a temporary event structure provider that supplied the viewing area for the NASCAR race in downtown Chicago last July. The football games will not prevent the men’s and women’s soccer teams and women’s lacrosse team from playing at Martin Field, nor encroach on field hockey games at the neighboring Lakeside Field.
Slightly more than a mile inland, joint venture Turner-Walsh Construction, also called the Central Street Consortium, continues to demolish the old Ryan Field. Utility work requiring parking restrictions on Central Street will be finished by Sunday, April 14, according to an April 4 construction update.
What about the environmental impact? I’m bet some of those construction materials and trash from the fans might blow into the lake.
I’m pleased that game day revenue will remain in Evanston over the next two years.
Why not keep the stadium on NU property rather than in a residential neighborhood two miles from campus? Much easier for the students to attend the games! 🙂
Would Northwestern consider holding a football event at the famous Stagg Field at the University of Chicago?
I sincerely hope not a single evanston police or fire department member will be asked to work these events on NU’s campus. They have made it clear that Evanston has zero jurisdiction over NU property and Cynthia Vargas of Evanston is way too fast to agree.
Let no one be fooled who really runs this town now that the mayor and majority of the council are puppets of NU.
Let’s please wake up as a community and demand a sensible PILOT agreement asap!
There’s a surcharge on each ticket sold that goes directly to the City of Evanston. Additionally, NU pays for all Evanston Police and Evanston Fire Department personnel who are detailed to work football and basketball games.
Greg, as some one who perfectly embodies the revolving door between Evanston City Staff and gaining employment from Northwestern University few people have the insight that you do. I would love for you to share the actual numbers of what NU pays to the city NU pays for all Evanston Police and Evanston Fire Department personnel who are detailed to work football and basketball games. Tell us more about the percentage of each ticket that the city collects in tax as well.
Would love to hear more about how the finances actually work.