Press Release
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EarthCam Provides Chicago Bears with Webcam Software and Technology Solution for Soldier Field Construction Project Internet WebCam Enables Fans, Public to View Construction Progress in Real-time from Their PCs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York, April 18, 2002 -- a, Arial">It may not be as dramatic as a Chicago Bears game, but the public now can watch the construction of the new stadium at Soldier Field from the comfort of their own computer screens. "As we have emphasized from the beginning, we want the public to be a part of this redevelopment process and to see the steady progress of constructing the new stadium," said David Doig, General Superintendent of the Chicago Park District, which owns Soldier Field. "Every day the site is a beehive of construction activity. Just last week we started erecting steel. In 17 months we expect the stadium will be completed and ready to host Bears first 2003 home game and other major sports and entertainment events." The Soldier Field WebCam is accessible by linking to the Chicago Bears web site at www.chicagobears.com. Once there, computer users will be able to link to EarthCam's web site by clicking on the "WebCam Soldier Field" tab in the lower right corner, which features the stadium's historic colonnades. "We want to give our fans and other interested parties the ability to watch the construction of their new home for Bears football and other entertainment events," said Ted Phillips, Chicago Bears President and CEO. "It is an exciting project we want to share with the community and when it is complete, we will have one of the nation's most advanced and fan friendly sports and entertainment venues." EarthCam, a New Jersey-based company, has placed a robotic camera at the construction site offering five different views that show WebCam viewers the many perspectives and stages of the project. "We are pleased to provide our popular interactive webcam software and technology to the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Bears. Through our partnership, we feel we can assist them in educating the public about this innovative project," said Brian Cury, EarthCam's CEO. "It is only fitting that a state-of-the-art stadium has constant Internet communications with its public and offers it real-time images of the day-to-day activities taking place." Visitors to the Soldier Field WebCam site will be able to:
The Soldier Field WebCam site is expected to be operational until the stadium is completed, which is scheduled for September 28, 2003. The Lakefront Redevelopment Project was approved by the Illinois General Assembly in November 2000. The public-private partnership involves the creation of a modern stadium within the historic façade of Soldier Field. It will also create 2,500 underground parking spaces for year-round use by Museum Campus visitors. In addition, the project will transform 17 acres of crumbling parking lot into 17 acres of new lakefront parkland surrounding the stadium. The $606-million project is funded through a $200-million contribution from the Chicago Bears, and revenues from Chicago's hotel-motel tax. The project relies on no Illinois property, sales or incomes taxes. Furthermore, the Bears are responsible for any possible cost overruns. EarthCam is the recognized leader in providing live streaming video WebCam software and technology solutions to businesses. Commencing in 1996, EarthCam began developing the proprietary software, network infrastructure and technical expertise that now allows it to deliver millions of live images to thousands of users each day. EarthCam provides complete infrastructure services to manage, host and maintain live images for its corporate clients. Clients include Yahoo!, Intel, MSN, ESPN, Panasonic, Ford, NASA, Kodak, Toys'R'Us and Discovery.com. As the premier provider of live images on the Internet, EarthCam webcasts events such as the Daytona 500, Mardi Gras, New Year's Eve in Times Square and the past four Super Bowls for the NFL. WebCamStore.com is EarthCam's full-service e-commerce site dedicated solely to providing webcam solutions. Visit EarthCam at www.earthcam.com.
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