N’western gets city board’s OK for brand-new arena

Nov 21, 2023, 02:37 AM ET

EVANSTON, Ill.– Northwestern got the go-ahead Monday night to build a brand-new Ryan Field after substantial conversations with homeowners over the variety of shows the football arena would host.The Evanston,

Illinois, city board enacted favor of the project and approved a rezoning application to permit 6 performances annually in addition to other events.

“This choice marks a pivotal moment for Northwestern and the city of Evanston,” stated Dave Davis, Northwestern’s senior executive director of community and community relations. “We’re embarking on a journey that promises not simply a modern stadium, but also a beacon of cultural and economic vitality. This job is a testimony to our shared vision of development and prosperity.”

The new arena, which is to be constructed on the website of the existing, 97-year-old Ryan Field, is part of a $480 million contribution from the family of Patrick and Shirley Ryan that was the biggest in school history. Some of that cash is also funding academic ventures.The school has

said the arena would seat 35,000, down more than 12,000 from the existing Ryan Field, and feature a canopy developed to keep sound and light concentrated on the field. It would consist of cutting-edge technology and scoreboards, along with concessions with food from regional restaurants, and would attain Gold LEED accreditation, according to the school.Northwestern has not announced where the football team will play while the brand-new stadium is developed. The school said the”next actions “will be announced “at a later date.”