Over the recent years, news surrounding the beloved Arlington Racetrack has circulated the internet. From its last race on September 25, 2021 to its buying by the Bears around February of 2024, the place has gone through some dramatic changes. Sale of the property would lead to its demolition around May of 2024 and its vacant 326-acre site leaves the question of what should be built. What kind of changes would building a stadium be?
With horse racing becoming a thing of the past, sales in betting and business would begin to lessen over time as more gambling casinos would emerge throughout the Chicago area. Its closing would leave many people in the Arlington Heights community in disappointment, losing a piece of its history and event center.
“I’ve gone there with my family to watch the races,” said Senior Serafina Salituro, “and for my sister’s graduation.” Due to Covid-19, several graduations for Saint Viator were held at the beloved stadium. But these were not the only events associated with Viator.
“I ran some 5K races there. Saint Viator hosted the ESCC cross country conference races there several times,” said Coach Bill Stanczak, head coach of the cross country team at Viator. “It has been a part of my life growing up, and so I was saddened to hear [its closing].” With many groups finding fond memories of the past, suspicion arises on the construction of a new stadium. Projected costs being around $4.7 billion, the new stadium was set to be able to accommodate larger groups and potentially be used for major sporting events such as the Super Bowl or Final Four games—all of which were previously incapable of being held in the Bears’ old home. Although having bought the land in February, the Bears had recently shifted its focus from Arlington Height to building a new stadium near Soldier Field instead. This has raised questions on what to do with the newly vacant land.
“They spent all that money to take down the track but are now unsure,” said Junior Grace Van Fossen. “They should have decided what they were doing before putting money into buying it and destroying the track.” Uncertainties on whether the company will continue its original efforts would leave the town with differing opinions as well as different possibilities for newer buildings. Recreational parks, strip malls, or even more houses could be implemented into the Arlington Heights area, but only time will tell. Stadium or not, the Arlington Heights Racetrack shall be put to use once again in the near future.