All most 4,000 fans filed through the renewed CenturyLink Sports Complex gates, up the steps and through Hammond Stadium’s grand new entrance during an open house.
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At noon, baseball Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven, former Twins pitcher, emceed the ribbon-cutting ceremony that included new manager Paul Molitor and commemorated a two-year, $48.5 million project. It was funded by the state of Florida ($15 million), the Twins (at least $6 million) and hotel bed taxes collected over the next 30 years in Lee County ($27.5 million).
The overhaul brought the Twins’ facilities up to par with those of the Boston Red Sox, who moved into the $80 million JetBlue Park and Fenway South complex three years ago.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era, of a longstanding partnership” Twins president Dave St. Peter said, noting the stadium opened in 1991. “Now we have the best player development facility in all of Major League Baseball.”
All five Lee County commissioners were present for the ceremony.
“It really creates a nice facility, not just for the people who live in Lee County, but it will draw more people to come and visit Lee County,” said Lee County commissioner Brian Hamman, noting that 20 percent of those bed taxes will be funding the two baseball stadiums over the next 30 years.