The Chicago Fire, AEG, the Village of Bridgeview and Turner Construction celebrated another milestone on Wednesday, as the last piece of steel was put into place during a "topping out" ceremony at the Bridgeview Stadium site in the Chicago Southland community. The ceremonial event signifies the finishing of the major steelwork at the stadium, which was concluded in less than three months after the first pieces were laid in mid-June. Fire President/CEO John Guppy, Village of Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek and new Bridgeview Stadium Vice President/General Manager Jay Cooper were just some of the dignitaries on hand to commemorate the milestone at the Fire's future home.
The topping out ceremony has roots stretching back more than 1,000 years and is rooted in old Scandinavian custom. After returning from a successful challenge on the seas of Europe and the New World, the Viking chieftains constructed high homes called Mead halls. Upon completion, an evergreen was hoisted to the ridgepole in celebration. Today, topping out is a signal that the uppermost steel member is going into place and that the structure has reached its full height. Topping out has become a cherished custom of ironworkers, who say it brings good luck to the project.
The evergreen tree attached to the final beam symbolizes the job well went, good luck for the occupants and signaling the start of a completion celebration, while the flag suggests patriotism for the American dream. As such, when the topping out beam rises, it offers a link to the past.
The Fire would like to thank all those involved who made the topping out ceremony possible, including Turner Construction, Midwest Steel Inc. and Cives Steel Company.
