March 16--Wrigley Field is an elaborate construction zone, with much of the ballpark wrapped in tarps or dismantled as workers labor to complete this offseason's renovation.
But despite the appearance, Cubs officials Tuesday said the ballpark will be ready for the team's home opener against the Reds on April 11.
Cubs spokesman Julian Green said work on Wrigley Field remains on schedule and the projects wil be completed in time.
On WSCR-AM 670's "Mully and Hanley" show, Cubs business President Crane Kenney said that most of the changes this season will be for players -- in particular a new 30,000-square-foot Cubs clubhouse, which will be the second biggest in baseball, just behind the one at Yankee Stadium.
The visitors clubhouse, however, will not be renovated this season.
One of the biggest changes for fans will be that they all must go through metal detectors before entering the ballpark.
"Come a little earlier," Kenney said, "so you don't miss the first pitch."
In addition, backstop netting will extend to the dugouts and will be designed to protect fans sitting as far as 70 feet away. Kenney said the new netting will be a "knotless material" that he said is 40 percent more transparent than the previous netting.
The Cubs are also replacing 7,000 grandstand-reserved seats on the left field side.
Kenney said that the historic Wrigley Field marquee, which was removed in November as work on the facade began, will be reinstalled in 10 days at the corner of Clark and Addison.
