The Chicago Fire Football Club recently celebrated the groundbreaking of their new performance and training facility located in the Roosevelt Square neighborhood on the Near West Side.
The facility will cover 53,000 square feet and stand two floors high. It will also feature the following:
- Two and a half hybrid grass fields for the team
- Three synthetic turf fields for the academy
- Inflatable dome to be placed on top of northwest field when necessary
- Facility's ground floor will house locker rooms
- Medical space
- Workout space
- Hydrotherapy
- Video room
- Second floor will include offices
- Cafeteria
- Meeting space for team operations
A 4,100 square foot building for the field crew will be located just off S. Loomis St and W. Hastings St, and a pedestrian greenway corridor will run through the site, connecting S. Loomis St and W. 14th Pl to S. Ashland Ave and W. 14th St.
This state-of-the-art complex will provide the team and academy with top-tier facilities to prepare for matches and improve their skills. In addition to benefiting the team, this development is also committed to providing job opportunities, recreational space, and housing support for the local community.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Chicago FC Owner and Chairman Joe Mansueto, Alderman Jason Ervin, Chicago Housing Authority CEO Tracey Scott, and Mary Baggett, President of the Local Advisory Committee for ABLA/Brooks Homes were present at the groundbreaking ceremony. Mayor Lightfoot expressed her pleasure in the project and the benefits it will bring to both the team and the community.
According to Urbanize Chicago, the Chicago Fire FC is funding the $75-80 million project entirely, with no city financing involved. Recently, the city signed a ground lease agreement between the team and the Chicago Housing Authority, generating $40 million in revenue over the next 40 years for CHA, which will be applied towards the agency's housing initiatives.
Pepper Construction will lead the construction of the facility, and it is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024. This project is a significant milestone for the Chicago Fire FC and the community, providing world-class facilities for the team and academy while contributing to the local economy and enhancing the quality of life for residents.
The Chicago Fire FC is one of the most successful football clubs in the country, with a rich history of winning championships and developing world-class players. This new facility will allow the team to continue their legacy of excellence by providing them with the best resources to prepare for matches and train their academy players.
In addition to benefiting the team, the facility will also provide job opportunities for local residents, both during the construction phase and afterward. This will contribute to the economic development of the community, creating sustainable growth and stability.
The inclusion of recreational space in the development is also a significant benefit for the community. This space will provide residents with a safe and enjoyable environment to exercise and engage in physical activities, promoting health and wellness in the area.
The commitment to housing support is also a crucial aspect of this development, as it will provide much-needed affordable housing options for residents. The $40 million in revenue generated from the ground lease agreement will go towards CHA's housing initiatives, addressing the city's housing crisis and helping more residents access safe and affordable housing.
Overall, this project is not just a win for the Chicago Fire FC, but for the entire community as well, as it will provide job opportunities, recreational space, and housing support, all while enhancing the team's ability to compete at the highest level.