Soldier Field is one of the most historic sports venues in the United States. It is the oldest stadium in the NFL – built in 1924 – but it has evolved to become one of the few NFL stadiums to receive LEED-EB certification. Preserving its treasured history, it has solidified itself as a venue at the cutting edge of environmental sustainability that is committed to improving the fan experience.
The name of Chicago’s NFL stadium originated as a homage to the soldiers who fell during WW I, a recommendation that was honored through a contest held by a Chicago newspaper. Originally labeled as “Soldiers” Field, it was amended after it was determined “Soldier” was more appealing from a unification perspective. Soldier Field was built as a request from the South Park Commission; an organization that was absorbed by the Municipal Parks Organization, which would later become the Chicago Parks District.
On October 4th, 1924, Soldier Field hosted its first event, a high school football game that featured two local teams. In addition to hosting high school football games, Soldier Field was the venue of choice for college football bowl games. Two of the most popular events of the 1920s were the Army-Navy game in 1926, which 100,000 people attended, and the Notre Dame-USC game in 1927, which drew 123,000 people to the stadium. Outside of football, Soldier Field hosted the 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup, as well as a variety of concerts, shows and public addresses. In 1951, General Douglas MacArthur gave a speech to 50,000 spectators on the Korean War.
The Bears played their first game on Soldier Field in 1971 after 50 seasons of playing at Wrigley Field. In order to maintain the venue’s infrastructure a number of projects have successfully restored some of the older aspects of the building. The largest renovation was completed in 2003 after 20 months of construction, resulting in a modernized facility and surrounding parkland well suited for multi-purpose event use. Although the project decreased capacity of 61,500, making it the NFL’s smallest stadium, it laid the groundwork for the venue’s subsequent LEED certification.
The Chicago Parks District, the owners of Soldier Field, made a conscious effort to reduce its environmental impact. By reducing water usage, increasing energy efficiency and creating waste management programs, Soldier Field became the first NFL stadium to attain LEED Existing Building certification in 2012. One of the more controversial issues still surrounding the venue is the usage of natural grass instead of the more common artificial turf; but the Parks District and Bears defend the more traditional playing surface for its tendency to cause fewer injuries than turf.
Soldier Field is one of a kind- an architectural masterpiece from the 1920s that is still making history by adapting environmentally sound principles, and maintaining its lasting charm and familiarity. The venue stands as a shining example of how history and evolution can co-exist in a way that preserves the past while protecting the future.
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier_Field