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Chicago Fire’s proposal to build a training facility at Hanson Park — estimated to cost about $90 million — calls for a 3-story building and 7 soccer pitches in Belmont Cragin

jeremy mikula, chicago tribune
·3 min read

Details of the Chicago Fire’s proposal to build a new, approximately 32-acre training facility at Hanson Park in Belmont Cragin have emerged.

According to the proposal — posted on the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) website — the Fire are looking to build seven soccer pitches and a three-story performance center that would serve as headquarters for the first team and youth academy. The club would embark on a renovation to Hanson Stadium, and a seasonal inflatable dome also is proposed for one of the fields.

Under the proposal, the Fire would enter a ground lease and shared-use agreement with Chicago Public Schools that would enable the public to access a portion of the complex, according to the DPD.

A source said the plan is estimated to cost about $85 million to $90 million and would be 100% privately funded.

The team, which currently practices at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, would continue to play its Major League Soccer matches at Soldier Field.

In January, Fire owner and Chairman Joe Mansueto told the Tribune the team was looking for a 20 or 25 acre plot of land in the city.

“I would like to see our main training facility be somewhere in the city,” Mansueto said. “To do that, for the vision we have, you need 20, 25 acres. And you know one of the downsides of being in a major metro area like Chicago is it’s pretty well built up. There’s not a lot of 25-acre parcels laying around.

“We’ve been looking over the past year. It’s a long-term project, it’s not something you can do overnight. We’ve got some ideas and we hope to make progress on that front in ’21.”

Should the proposal get the green light, it would be the latest big-money purchase the Fire have made under Mansueto. The Fire agreed to pay Bridgeview $65.5 million to amend the team’s lease at SeatGeek Stadium and upgrade the soccer facilities at the southwest suburban venue.

The site — located at the southeast corner of Fullerton and Central avenues — is owned by CPS and Cook County and is also the location of three schools: Hanson Park Elementary, Charles A. Prosser Career Academy and Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy.

The project would require a master-planned development-zoning designation and other requirements by multiple public agencies, according to the DPD.

The Fire will present their initial plans during a virtual community town hall Thursday. According to the DPD, input from the town hall will be used to help finalize an application that will be submitted to City Council. Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, will host the event.

“The Chicago Fire Football Club is excited about the prospect of investing in Belmont Cragin and building our performance center in the neighborhood,” the Fire said in a statement. “This is the first step in a long process and we look forward to working with the local community, the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools to make this dream a reality.”