Task Force to make stadium proposal

Published 8:02 pm Monday, November 7, 2016

STAR-TUES FRONT, PUZZLES 4, PAGES 2,8,9,10 - 11082016

Following the confetti and monumental World Series win by the Chicago Cubs, focus is already turning toward the 2017 season. That focus spans across each Major League Baseball (MLB) organization, including the Minnesota Twins, and with the upcoming season, a funding proposal is on tap to help accommodate the future of the Twins minor league affiliate in Elizabethton.
The Elizabethton Twins Task Force will look to submit a proposal of $3.2 million worth of renovations to be completed at Joe O’Brien Field during Thursday’s City Council meeting.
“This is the proposal the Task Force was able to come with,” Elizabethton Twins General Manager and Parks and Recreation Director Mike Mains said Monday. “The task force has met on several occasions, including taking a tour of a facility, and feel that this proposal will help keep Minor League Baseball in Elizabethton, help with the Elizabethton High School baseball team using the field and better serve the fans.”
The proposal features two separate processes that Task Force wants to take when renovating the field.
According to documents obtained at City Hall, the first part of renovations includes a new Elizabethton Twins clubhouse facility, renovations to the Elizabethton High School baseball and Appalachian League clubhouse facility, stadium seating, Riverside Park improvements and the replacement of stadium knee wall along with safety netting – estimated to cost $2,368,000. The second part of renovations includes the construction of a new press box, additional stadium seating upgrades and the building of a new picnic area – estimated to cost $832,000.
Prior to this past season, the Twins reached out with the city to develop a needs assessment for the facility, including a price tag for renovations at approximately $1.8 million.
Mains added that with the additional costs developed within the proposal, the Task Force is hoping to seek private donations to assist, along with funding from the city and a possible recommitment of contribution from the Minnesota organization.
The discussion comes on the heels of the October 13 City Council meeting, where the council voted to form the Task Force. The meeting also included an update from Mayor Curt Alexander and Mains – who took part in a trip to Target Field in Minnesota to meet with the Twins front office. Alexander and Mains both added the city and front office had good discussions.
The Minnesota Twins recently held a press conference to introduce their new management staff – consisting of a new chief baseball officer and general manager.
According to the Minnesota Twins baseball website, the organization made the hire to bring in Thad Levine as the new GM during the first week of November. Levine previously served as the assistant GM for the Texas Rangers. Along with Levine, Minnesota had already hired a new chief baseball officer – Derek Falvey. Falvey was hired on Monday, Oct. 3, and previously served as the assistant GM with the recent World Series runner-up team, Cleveland Indians.

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