The Bears are "close to extending an agreement" with Olivet Nazarene Univ. that will keep team's training camp at the Bourbonnais, Ill., school "for several years," according to Brad Biggs of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. This year marks the Bears' 12th camp at Olivet, and it is "expected they will enter into an agreement that could keep them here and end speculation about a potential move" to Lewis Univ. in Romeoville. While 19 NFL teams are holding training camps at team HQs this year, the Bears have "stated consistently they want to keep camp open to the public, something that would be difficult at their Halas Hall headquarters in Lake Forest." The setup at Olivet is "considered among the league's finest and the school has completed major expansion and renovations" since the team arrived in '02 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/4).
SOLDIER ON: The Bears on Friday announced the addition of the Miller Lite Loft at Soldier Field, which adds three rows of seating, totaling 148 new fixed outdoor seats, and 90 standing-room-only positions. The new loft area, located in the stadium's south end zone, includes a private bar and concession stand, a windscreen, as well as ceiling-mounted heaters and televisions. The space will also be used for non-Bears events. The loft is scheduled for completion during the '13 season and will replace the Miller Lite Party Deck on the north side of the stadium (Bears).
