Primer: Ryan Field

This week, NU’s Political Union will be considering the following resolution: Northwestern should continue its plans to build the new Ryan Field. 

Announced on September 28, 2022, Northwestern University is planning a complete renovation of Ryan Field. This would entail both destroying the old stadium and rebuilding a new stadium in its place. While being strongly supported by NU’s administration, others have raised concerns about the plan for the new Ryan Field. 

Those in favor of the new Ryan Field present many positives that building the stadium could have: Due to a massive donation from the Ryan Family, the entire funding of this modern stadium would come from private donations. Additionally, the new stadium would contain a canopy to reduce the noise and light irritations to the Evanston residents near the stadium. Predictions have also been made that nearly 3,000 jobs would be created or supported by the new Ryan Field, bettering the economic health of Evanston and other nearby communities. Finally, supporters of the new stadium say that it is necessary due to the age of the old stadium, having been built nearly 100 years ago. 

Those against the new Ryan Field, however, are not without worries to share: There will be fewer seats in the new stadium as compared to the old (35,000 vs. 47,000). Additionally, as the new Ryan Field would also host concerts, locals fear that the noise and sound coming from this stadium would become a constant problem. Additional concerns come about from the parking at the stadium, as 1,365 spots are in the plan, while 4,202 is seen as the minimum number of spots in a report by the City of Evanston. Finally, as alcohol would be sold in the new stadium, residents fear that people leaving the arena post events would, more often, cause a disturbance. 

Please join us on 4/17 at 7pm in Scott Hall, 201! 

"Ryan Field at Sunset" by stirwise is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.