The following is a article from Ballpark Digest:
Ballpark Editors | October 2015
It was a two-year project, an extreme makeover designed to keep spring-training, regular-season and developmental operations running while the CenturyLink Sports Complex and Hammond Stadium were renovated and expanded — a project that earned Ballpark Digest’s Best Major Ballpark Renovation of 2015.
CenturyLink Sports Complex and Hammond Stadium serve many needs. The complex is the spring-training home of the Minnesota Twins and the center of the team’s year-round player development. In addition to hosting Twins spring games, Hammond Stadium is the regular-season home of the Fort Myers Miracle (High A; Florida State League).
“Most Twins fans are very familiar with the Lee County Sports Complex and Hammond Stadium as the team’s spring-training home,” said Kevin Reichard, Ballpark Digest publisher. “But the newly named CenturyLink Sports Complex and Hammond Stadium are designed to do so much more: the ballpark also served as the regular-season home of the Fort Myers Miracle, and the complex is used year-round to develop the next generation of Twins players. With a new state-of-the-art player development academy, the Twins and their partners have created a facility that is a model for other MLB teams planning their developmental roadmap.”
The two-year, $48.5-million renovation was funded via a public-private partnership between the Twins and Lee County, which used tourist-development tax dollars on the project. The design came from Populous, the Kansas City (Mo.) sports-architecture firm also responsible for the Target Field design, while construction was overseen by Manhattan Twins Joint Venture, a partnership between Manhattan Construction Company, Chris-Tel Construction and Casey Construction.
But some of the more groundbreaking improvements are behind the scenes and won’t ever be seen by fans. Chief among them: a state-of-the-art player development academy (shown above). While player acquisition these days now a global effort, MLB teams draft and sign many players from the Caribbean and South America. For these young men, transitioning to professional baseball and America can be a wrenching experience. The Twins, who partially funded the $6-million construction cost, are calling it a player development academy, but it wouldn’t look out of place on most college campuses. With a modern design featuring dorm-like housing built around a courtyard, a group multimedia/game area (complete with big-screen TVs, game consoles, domino tables, and more), conference rooms named for Twins greats, 24-hour security, and a large cafeteria with the capacity to feed 150 players and coaches.
“The Twins have enjoyed a model partnership with Lee County since moving to SW Florida in 1991,” Twins President Dave St. Peter said. “We are incredibly proud of the CenturyLink Sports Complex renovation project and the results it delivers each and every day for our players, staff, fans and citizens of Lee County.”
“We wanted to create the best baseball experience for our residents and the spring training fans who visit Lee County,” said Brian Hamman, Chairman, Lee County Board of County Commissioners. “The results of this renovation have exceeded our expectations. Not only are we setting an example for the nation when it comes to spring training, but we’re driving millions of dollars into our economy by creating an amazing venue for sports tourism.”
“The Fort Myers Miracle are grateful to call the CenturyLink Sports Complex home for twenty-five years,” said Jason Hochberg, President of SJS Beacon Baseball and principal owner of the Fort Myers Miracle. “The renovations have made the ballpark one of the best spring training and minor league baseball complexes in all of baseball. We would like to thank Lee County, the Twins and all of the contractors for their efforts.”
“The Minnesota Twins and Lee County aspire to excellence and the renovations to CenturyLink Sports Complex ensure an excellent fan experience and baseball training experience for decades to come. From start to finish, the team involved – from the Twins to Lee County to Manhattan Construction – had a vision for creating the best spring training experience for fans and athletes in the nation,” said Bruce Miller, Senior Principal at Populous. “It’s safe to say that was accomplished. The renovated CenturyLink Sports Complex is now a model for Major League Baseball spring training and player development facilities.”
“This best major ballpark renovation designation is a fitting recognition of Lee County community’s vision, The Twins’ player-development leadership, and Populous’ design innovation,” said Bob Bowen, senior vice president at Manhattan Construction. “We are excited for Lee County families who will enjoy events at the ballpark and the memorable moments they will share there. It is an honor to have played a part in renovating this ballpark, which will be a lasting positive influence in this community for generations to come.”
“Player development is such an important activity for MLB teams,” Reichard added. “CenturyLink Sports Complex is a model for MLB and their development needs, while Hammond Stadium is a hit with fans throughout the entire baseball season.”