Twins Stadium Needs A Roof
After several years of talk, it looks like the Twins might finally have a real chance of getting a new stadium. They've been telling us they need one. They've threatened to leave if they don't get one. They've even had the funny radio commercial guy throw in a little jab about the Metrodome in the most recent radio spot. Now, it looks like it could possibly become reality. But if it does, the team could be hurt more than it's helped.
As I understand it, the new Twins stadium would not have a roof. That would cost another $175 million or so that isn't in the plan. The Twins are pitching in a nice chunk and the Hennepin County tax (20 cents on every $100) will cover the biggest chunk. Funds for the roof are nowhere to be seen.
This spring is a perfect example of why a roofless stadium won't work in Minnesota. Yes, we want the roof off whenever possible. We all love outdoor baseball. It's not only how the game was meant to be played, it's also nice for us fans to sit in the sun, get a little tan on our Minnesotan skin and watch the game on real grass. But what happens when you have a spring full of 45 degree temperatures, wind and rain?
If a team further south gets a rainy day (or even a week for that matter) they still have a chance to draw large crowds because, even if it's wet, it will be nice. Bring an umbrella and your set. Here, you might have to break out your long underwear and I just don't see Twins fans doing that consistently.
The result will be fewer walk-ups. Fewer people in the Twin Cities area will look out their window at work and say to themselves, "Wow, it's nice out. Maybe I should call the family and see if they want to go to a Twins game tonight." I don't see out-state people like us in Rochester being as effected because usually if we go up to a game, it is planned for a while and we'll simply dress or pack accordingly. But to those who live up there, who could go to a Twins game or many other things, the weather will be a big factor in their decision.
The problem is solved with a roof. It's sunny most of the time, and when it's not, they close the roof and the game goes on. Without the roof, the novelty of the new stadium will soon wear off. If the new stadium doesn't have a retractable roof, I wouldn't be surprised to see their attendance drop.
As I understand it, the new Twins stadium would not have a roof. That would cost another $175 million or so that isn't in the plan. The Twins are pitching in a nice chunk and the Hennepin County tax (20 cents on every $100) will cover the biggest chunk. Funds for the roof are nowhere to be seen.
This spring is a perfect example of why a roofless stadium won't work in Minnesota. Yes, we want the roof off whenever possible. We all love outdoor baseball. It's not only how the game was meant to be played, it's also nice for us fans to sit in the sun, get a little tan on our Minnesotan skin and watch the game on real grass. But what happens when you have a spring full of 45 degree temperatures, wind and rain?
If a team further south gets a rainy day (or even a week for that matter) they still have a chance to draw large crowds because, even if it's wet, it will be nice. Bring an umbrella and your set. Here, you might have to break out your long underwear and I just don't see Twins fans doing that consistently.
The result will be fewer walk-ups. Fewer people in the Twin Cities area will look out their window at work and say to themselves, "Wow, it's nice out. Maybe I should call the family and see if they want to go to a Twins game tonight." I don't see out-state people like us in Rochester being as effected because usually if we go up to a game, it is planned for a while and we'll simply dress or pack accordingly. But to those who live up there, who could go to a Twins game or many other things, the weather will be a big factor in their decision.
The problem is solved with a roof. It's sunny most of the time, and when it's not, they close the roof and the game goes on. Without the roof, the novelty of the new stadium will soon wear off. If the new stadium doesn't have a retractable roof, I wouldn't be surprised to see their attendance drop.
posted by Joe Siple | 8:48 AM
5 Comments:
How about taking some of that taxpayer money and putting it where it should be....with the kids. Student athletic fees are going up. Girls sports facilities are not on an equal level with boys, forcing both the boys and the girls to lose opportunities. Music, art, and other activities are being cut left and right....And Joe, you think we need a stadium....with a nine-figure retractable roof? ME TOO! I agree with you absolutely. Here's my beef though. The Minnesota Twins, God bless 'em, are a private entity. Carl Pohlad stands to make some pretty good money if he sells after the building of a stadium. He and the businesses around the new stadium that will benefit should have to foot the bill. That's all I have.
Joe, thanks for creating a spot for people to talk about sports.
I couldn't agree more with the point about the team. I don't think any city should have to pay a dime toward a stadium. The team will make a profit off it, they should pay for it. Unfortunately, the precedent has been set and virtually no team will build a stadium with their own money. Hopefully something gets worked out. I also agree that more money should be spent on our kids and less on our professional sports.
True. The precedent has been set. However, precedent is something that can be set to turn things around as well. Minnesota sports teams can do it, the owners just want more money that's all. It's all about money. They are going to try for as much money from Joe Taxpayer as they can, because when they sell that's more money in their pocket. Check out the following website for some good reading on the stadium issue: The Economist
Later.
Talk about opposite sides of the spectrum. One one side we have the money grubbing professional sports entities (players, owners, etc) doing all they can to get all the money they can from the public, including money to build a nicer place for them to work. Then, on the other side, we have people like Justin Sokol. A guy willing to give up a potential large baseball contract, take his advanced degree, and use it to help those less fortunate. We need more of the latter, and more exposure for the latter as well.
I agree with Eric.
I grew up in Green Bay Wisconsin and am a Packer fan. They way they do it there is that the town owns the team. (Simple explanation w/out getting into the insurance company receivership issue that started in 1934.) Wisconsin residents were, on the whole, happy to accept a 1% tax hike to pay for something ($295 million RENOVATION) that they knew they could keep. Minnesota residents are not in that situation. I say if they want to put in a fancy stadium and roof hoping to attract spectators, then Rochester should buy about 50 more buses and provide better service 7 days a week to start attracting passengers. Then people could save some gas money and afford a Twins ticket.
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