The Twins are now at 40 percent of the dollars put into Target Field, and they are the reason that it's a better ballpark than when it opened for an exhibition game vs. the Cardinals on April 2, 2010.
This seemed worth a look after the recent report that Hennepin County has been able to fund $23 million worth of youth sports projects through the same .15 percent sales tax used to create Target Field.
Mike Opat, the Hennepin County commissioner who was at the forefront of the push to build a ballpark and maintain the Twins in Minnesota, said: "We've also spent a like amount — $23 million — to keep our libraries open on weekends and longer hours as part of the Target Field initiative. ... Libraries and youth sports. Hennepin County wants our youngsters to be both athletic and literate.''
Opat laughed at this, but he's also proud that 10 seasons later the Target Field effort has guaranteed a baseball franchise, completed playgrounds and kept open libraries.
PATRICK REUSSE
