Top Menu

Pohlads pledge $2 million toward new U of Minnesota ballpark

The Pohlad Family Foundation, controlled by the owners of the Minnesota Twins, pledged $2 million toward a new Gophers ballpark — but the price tag for the facility is now at $15 million.

The Pohlad Family Foundation, controlled by the owners of the Minnesota Twins, pledged $2 million toward a new University of Minnesota Golden Gophers ballpark — but the price tag for the facility is now at $15 million.

Combined with other smaller pledges, the University has raised $3.5 million toward the new ballpark. But since making an initial announcement about fundraising for a new 3,000-seat ballpark, the cost estimate for the facility seems to have gone up, from $7.5 million to $15 million. That covers a two-phase construction schedule, with the first phase covering the demolition of Siebert Field (where the team has not played a single game this season), installation of artificial turf and the construction of a grandstand. The second phase of the construction would cover indoor batting cages, additional seating, clubhouses and additional concessions.

The current plan is to keep the current Siebert Field name, though we're guessing the U would sell the rights for the right price.

RELATED STORIES: U of Minnesota announces ballpark plan — kinda

Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.

Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see features before they're posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.

Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!