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Twins Propose Target Field Light Upgrade

Minnesota Twins

If approved, a plan from the Minnesota Twins will lead to more than $1 million worth of lighting upgrades at Target Field by the start of the 2017 season.

The Twins are set to meet with the Minnesota Ballpark Authority and reach a decision on the upgrades. At a price of $1.625, Target Field’s field and canopy lights would be equipped with a new programmable LED system, which the Twins say will help to improve environmental sustainability.

Early indications are that some of the authority’s members, including executive director Dan Kenney, think the plan would help lead to lower costs. More from Finance & Commerce:

The LED system will offer “better light at a much lower cost,” Kenney said. “The maintenance is lower and the electrical consumption is much lower.”

Target Field currently has standard field lighting. Standard replacements are tough to find because everyone is moving to LED, Kenney said.

Twins spokesman Dustin Morse said the new LED system would enable the team to save 50 percent of its energy usage for field lighting, while also improving lighting for fans at the stadium and those watching on TV, among other benefits.

“It should help on a lot of different levels,” Morse said.

Target Field’s Ballpark Capital Reserve fund would pay for the project. Established in 2007, the capital reserve fund receives annual contributions from the Twins and Hennepin County.

In addition to the light upgrades, the Twins are also seeking to modify Target Field’s suite level by adding team offices. While the Twins will pay for that project, the authority will still discuss the proposal with the team, as its offices would move as part of the realignment. The meeting will take place on Thursday.

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