The Chicago Bears have finally done something they’ve flirted with for years. They are making a serious push to leave Soldier Field. Something the team has teased going all the way back to the 1980s. For one reason or another, usually financial issues, they’ve stayed put. That is no longer a problem. With the franchise valued at $4.1 billion, they’re in a far better position to determine their stadium future than 20 years ago when they settled for a renovation of their current venue.

Having spent $197 million to acquire Arlington Racecourse International, the Bears are about to own 326 acres of premium real estate. Everybody expects them to use it to build a brand new stadium and surrounding entertainment village. This in an effort to finally maximize their revenue streams. Something the Chicago Park District just hasn’t allowed over the years. Yet one question persists. At least among fans.

Will the Bears continue to embrace an open-air stadium?

The short answer? Probably not. According to Rick Pearson of the Chicago Tribune, the prevailing belief is the Bears will likely aim for a domed complex instead. While the idea of “Bear weather” is nice and all, it doesn’t affect the bottom line. It also isn’t really a factor in the team’s success nearly as often as people would like to think. While these thoughts were great 20 years ago, they just aren’t practical now.

In the mid-1990s, Edgar favored what became known as “McDome,” a domed-stadium expansion to McCormick Place that the Bears vetoed in favor of then-Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Soldier Field renovation plan. That decision was made in part because of the team’s desire to maintain an open-air stadium for the “Bear Weather” factor. There’s no talk of cold-weather mythology this time around.

This isn’t a case where the McCaskeys hate the weather factor. That isn’t it. This is more a case of a domed complex being so much more versatile year-round. The problem with Soldier Field was it wasn’t a moneymaker. For both the Bears and the city of Chicago. Primarily because said weather impacted whenever it could be used for other events.

This would not be a problem if they had a dome.

“You just don’t want to spend a whole lot of money on a football stadium, because it’s an economic loser,” said Sanderson, who voiced opposition to the Soldier Field renovation at the time it was approved. “There are two things you don’t want to spend money to put on a high-priced piece of real estate. One is a cemetery, and the other is a football stadium that is open 10 times per year. For all practical purposes, Soldier Field is open 100 hours per year.”

Chicago Bears may yet seek a middle ground to this problem

This in the form of a retractable roof. Something several domed stadiums have when they want to open things up to the elements. Some examples including the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, the Indianapolis Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium, and the Atlanta Falcons’ Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Of course, all of those teams don’t have any sort of weather advantage to consider. The Bears could be different.

A retractable roof would allow them to benefit from true Chicago Bears weather and then they could close it up for other events that need premium conditions. This could keep the fans happy and still give the organization their year-round moneymaker. It will come down to cost and whether such a feature is worth it. Either way, it’s apparent what the endgame is for this organization.

To create a stadium that fans actually want to visit.

Not just because they love the Bears and it used to be a historical landmark. More because it’s a premium complex that offers so many reasons to visit. A place that creates an unforgettable experience for people. Not to mention one that actually makes money. A benefit this organization hasn’t been able to enjoy in its entire history.