After nearly a decade at Soldier Field (with a stop in Naperville), the Fire opens Toyota Park on Sunday, a $98 million stadium in Bridgeview. Based on stadia in England, Portugal and France, it is the fourth soccer-specific facility in MLS.
Seating capacity
20,000 Soccer game
28,000 Concert
Upper bowl:
10, 228 Bench seats
7, 272 Individual seats
Upper Field: 2,500
Field: 8,000
Seating and prices
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SINGLE GROUP SEASON
Club Call for pricing
Premier midfield $45 $30 $820
Premier terrace midfield $35 $25 $620
Corner kick party deck terrace $25 $20 $420
Firehouse $20 $18 $320
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Maintaining turf
A playing surface needs a balance to thrive. The stadium has an underground system of pipes to remove excess moisture, provide oxygen and control temperature.
Heating
Boilers heat a glycol/water solution in pipes. This provides optimal growing temperatures during the early and later months of the year.
Aeration
Fans push fresh air through pipes to the roots, refreshing the air and providing a healthier environment for growing.
Vaccuuming
During heavy rain, the fan reverses and draws excess water through pipes, providing adequate drainage. Water flows downhill to an outfall.
Suites
Each suite accommodates around 16 (shown) to 30 people. Along with a nice view, other amenities include catering and VIP parking. Annual prices range from $25,000 to $60,000. Suite owners will be able to attend every ticketed event, not just soccer games.
Seats are blue, a color that resists fading better and doesn’t appear as empty on television.
Concerts
Concert rig: Bands can hang lights and gear without having to put up their own scaffolding.
Docks (behind stage): Can accommodate six tractor-trailers
Suites: Double as dressing rooms for performers.
Stage: Extends for concerts to 7,200 square feet.
Video board (40 feet by 23 feet): Can be broken down into four pieces to store.
Protective floor: A system of interlocking thermoplastic panels called Terraplas protects the field from being trampled.
TERRAPLAS PANEL
6 feet square
Panels lock together
Slits allow air flow, preventing turf yellowing
Translucent color reflects sunlight, reducing heat build-up.
Roof provides shade for approximately half of the side stands and upper deck. It also helps hold sound and provides rigging for lighting and sound equipment.
Noise: Direction of the stadium is not true north. It is angled slightly to push sound into an industrial area instead of residences.
For more information on the Fire and upcoming events, visit: http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/MLS/chf/
Sources: Chicago Fire, Terraplas, AEG, ESRI, TeleAtlas.
See microfilm for complete graphic.
