Cubs, Wood Break Ground On 'Kerry Wood Cubs Field'
(WSCR) Kerry Wood may have retired from the Cubs, but his name will live on.
Chicago Public League student athletes will soon be playing baseball and hosting IHSA state baseball playoffs at a new stadium, Kerry Wood Cubs Field, at Clark Park near Lane Tech High School on Addison Street about a mile from Wrigley Field, the Cubs announced Thursday in a statement.
The Chicago Cubs, Chicago Cubs Charities, Wood Family Foundation, City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools and Turner Construction all contributed to make the $5 million stadium project possible.
Chicago Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts today joined Kerry Wood to break ground on the field along with Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts, 47th Ward Ald. Ameya Pawar, representatives of the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, Turner Construction and members of the baseball teams from City Champion Simeon High School, Lane Tech High School and Lakeview High School.
Once completed, Kerry Wood Cubs Field will be owned and operated by the Chicago Park District.
"Chicago Cubs Charities is committed to providing increased access to sports opportunities and improving the lives of children and families across this city," said Cubs owner, board member and Chicago Cubs Charities Chair Laura Ricketts. "We are proud of the partnership we developed with Kerry and Sarah Wood, the City, Turner Construction and the Clark Park Advisory Council to make this field a reality."
"It is an honor to be a part of this project that will help keep public school baseball teams local during playoff season," explained Wood. "We want this field to benefit student athletes in many ways for years to come."
