Smiles all around as Wrigley renovation begins

Sunny skies and a row of smiles reflected the friendliness and optimistic mood among team executives and civic leaders Saturday as the Cubs celebrated their "1060 Project" groundbreaking ceremony at Wrigley Field.

More than 350 people attended the event on the Wrigley infield, with the backdrop of drilling and other construction noise underway.

That noise was music to the ears of Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts, who admitted he had doubts that this long-awaited four-year project would start.

"The fact is there were a lot of days I was concerned that we would never get to here," Ricketts said after the event attended by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, community leaders and project team officials.

"Absolutely. But ultimately, the mayor stepped up and we worked it out and found a way to make sure we could get this ballpark saved, and today I feel great.''

So, apparently, did everyone involved in the ceremony, which was dotted with humor and concluded with ceremonial digs with shovels.

"I do want to echo what (President of Business Operations) Crane Kenney said," Emanuel said. "I'm so proud this is privately financed."

That drew a round of chuckles that grew to laughter when Emanuel added: "That's probably the only thing I've echoed that Crane has ever said."

Kenney, whom Ricketts praised for his relentless work in pushing the renovation through layers of bureaucracy and threats of litigation, replied, "I can definitely say I will enjoy not being on the receiving end of some of the mayor's pointed comments."

Emanuel touted the benefits of the $575 million project (that includes a hotel), which is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and generate $1.2 billion in new net revenue over the next 30 years.

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Smiles all around as Wrigley renovation begins