The Bears and Olivet Nazarene Univ. yesterday announced a nine-year extension to keep the team's training camp at the school's Bourbonnais, Ill., campus, where it has been held since '02 (Bears). In Chicago, Brad Biggs writes NFL teams are "trending toward remaining at year-round facilities for training camp, but the Bears remain committed to making it a shared experience for fans while also taking advantage of an environment that promotes natural bonding." The Bears this summer were "one of only 13 teams to go away for camp." Plans for the near future include "a complete rebuild of the practice fields, doubling of the locker room space and the addition of walkways and lighting to enhance the fan experience" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/13).
HAIL TO THE SKINS: In Richmond, Michael Martz reports Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe yesterday "endorsed the deal that Gov. Bob McDonnell cut" with the Redskins last year, which included $4M in state money and $2M from Loudoun County to "keep the team headquarters and year-round training facility in Ashburn." McAuliffe also "commended Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones for building the summer training facility in six months" through a partnership with Bon Secours Health System. McAuliffe "held up the Redskins training camp as an example of how Virginia needs to find new ways of generating business" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 8/13).
VIKING QUEST: In Minneapolis, Richard Meryhew notes the development of the Vikings' $975M downtown stadium "moved ever so slightly closer to reality Monday when the Minneapolis Planning Commission signed off on the stadium’s bold and glassy design." The design plan will be "forwarded to the city’s zoning and planning committee next week before going to the full City Council for a vote Aug. 30" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/13).
GREEN JEANS: In San Jose, Lauren Hepler reported Levi's Stadium construction crews are "working on a garden and event area atop the stadium's luxury suite tower." Turner Construction VP & GM Kavinder Singh said, "There's a garden roof on top. That's one of the green elements. I think it will be open for weddings and other events" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/12).
