Suburbs need a major sporting venue

Some of my views:

Arlington Park. Seems the state of Illinois is reluctant to assist Arlington Park with anything, from race dates to slot machines — nothing, no help at all.

Chicago Cubs. The city of Chicago is not assisting with much on their renovation plans; the people in the rooftop dwellings have forced everything to be put on hold.

Chicago Bears. They play in a stadium they rent and receive little compensation from concessions and parking. Complaints about the condition of the field are ongoing.

Some solutions:

Let’s see if Arlington Park can become a first-class entertainment complex. A new ballpark for the Cubs, a new stadium for the Bears, perhaps a combination stadium for both.

A new indoor venue, such as a 22,000-seat auditorium possibly for concerts and basketball. Maybe there is a Final Four to be attracted, or an All-Star game to be had. Mass transit already is in place, plenty of parking in the suburbs. Maybe all the owners together can sell stock in the individual sports teams like Green Bay does for the Packers and Lambeau Field.

Every surrounding town and village would benefit from such a facility. Jobs galore, restaurants and hotels packed, shopping increased. Most season ticket holders are from the suburbs. Attract new customers from the Rockford area, Wisconsin, Iowa.

Chicago’s reputation is on the decline, tourists are staying away from the city, mostly due to crime and the high costs of entertainment. Look what Rosemont has done with a fantastic entertainment area — could there be an “Arlington Park Sports and Entertainment Center”? There are ways to make this work.

Ken Kozil

Rolling Meadows