Four Winds Field to get new look by opening day 2025
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Four Winds Field is about to get its third makeover. Home to the South Bend Cubs, the ballpark’s expansion and renovation project is expected to cost about $50 million, officials said Friday.
Work will begin during the offseason and by opening day 2025, fans will get a new experience of the ballpark, including a second deck with additional seating and suites, Owner Andrew Berlin said. Kansas-based architectural firm, Populous is spearheading the project. The firm has worked on almost 100 ballparks across the country.
The project will also see a new party deck, a new club space and kids area at left field, and an updated Pepsi Club on the second level, among other upgrades.
The renovations are partly due to new stadium standards mandated by Major League Baseball after it acquired full control of the minor league in 2022. The upgraded version of Four Winds Field is expected to exceed the required standard.
“We’re approaching all of this construction in a way that minimizes impact to local fans during the playing season,” Mueller added. “After completing the stadium upgrades this year, everything outside the stadium walls, including the new four-story building, will be finished during the offseason from fall 2025 to spring 2026.”
-
An overall look at the planned upgrades to Four Winds Field. (rendering provided)
-
A conceptual rendering of the upgraded Pepsi Club at Four Winds Field. (rendering provided)
-
A conceptual rendering of the upgraded suites at Four Winds Field. (rendering provided)
-
A conceptual rendering of the new party deck at Four Winds Field. (rendering provided)
-
A conceptual rendering of the new club space at Four Winds Field. (rendering provided)
The project will be funded through a bond issue in the municipal finance market, backed by revenue collected through the Professional Sports & Convention Development Area fund. It will also provide investment dollars for the Morris Performing Arts Center and Century Center, if needed.
The Indiana General Assembly passed legislation last year that allows the city to retain up to $5 million of state income and sales taxes within the defined professional sports and convention development area. Over the next 20 years, South Bend is expected to raise $100 million. The bonds will also be backed by property taxes to get the lowest interest rates, Mayor James Mueller said.
“This financial instrument, which is only available to cities with professional sports teams, allows us to keep millions of dollars right here at home,” Berlin said. “And since amenities improve the quality of life for everyone, this is a win-win. Indiana wins. South Bend wins. And most especially, the fans win.”
Berlin will appear before the South Bend Common Council Monday night to talk about the project and the necessary bond issue.
Mueller commended his predecessors for their visionary insight in advocating for and bringing the Cubs to South Bend. He also highlighted the late Governor Joe Kernan’s role in saving the team during tough financial times.
“South Bend has embraced minor league baseball from the beginning and persevered through ups and downs,” he added. “The stadium and ballclub have been a shot in the arm for downtown South Bend and a source of pride for our community.”
Also co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, Berlin was in the market to buy a major league baseball team when someone mentioned the South Bend team to him. After visiting Gov. Kernan, who was one of the owners at the time, Berlin decided to pass on the club since the area was not thriving. A little persuasion from the former governor and he “begrudgingly” agreed to the deal.
“Downtown South Bend was struggling. It was not thriving in 2011,” he said. “As it turns out, things got better and better every year. As the crowds showed up, we continued to invest and I even invested $10 million of my own money to the city-owned stadium because I really believe in what the future will be.”
Since then, several businesses and apartment buildings have opened in the area, one even sharing the same address with the ballpark.
In anticipation of opening night on April 9, one day after the eclipse, Berlin said there are a lot of surprises in store for fans, including fireworks right on the field.
“I’ve never been part of such a supportive group of people who worked this hard on behalf of every citizen in this region,” he noted. “Thank you all.”
The South Bend Cubs are a professional Minor League Team franchise for the Chicago Cubs. The team itself has won several awards for the stadium, its operations, and two Midwest League Championships over the past four years.
Indiana has two other Minor League professional baseball teams, as well as several professional football, basketball and hockey teams that can benefit from the PSCDA legislation, which was passed in 2023.