South Bend Cubs begin work on $48 million facelift at Four Winds Field
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Construction on a two-year, $48 million upgrade to Four Winds Field in downtown South Bend is underway.
At a groundbreaking event Tuesday, South Bend Cubs Owner Andrew Berlin, Mayor James Mueller, state legislators and several city officials gathered to commemorate the process that they anticipate will attract more people to the city over the next several decades.
“Even when it was full and people were having a wonderful time, I kept seeing things that I wished I could change, things that I could improve and things I could fix,” Berlin said. “Now that moment has arrived, it’s good for business. The ballpark has been beautiful but it’s going to get more beautiful. I’m excited.”
By opening day next year, a new natural playing field will replace the aging 10-year-old field. Installed by Berlin in 2014, the turf was part of an agreement with the Chicago Cubs that helped land the Minor League Affiliation in South Bend.
The project includes a second deck with additional seating and suites, 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.
“This bold investment into Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium will raise the visitor experience to the next level and add more life to the neighborhood,” Mueller said. “It’s an exciting time for growth in South Bend and I am excited to see this world-class vision become a reality, catalyzing further transformation for our city.”
Berlin speaks on the scope of work expected and completion timelines.
During this off-season, worn-out seats will be replaced, the Kids Fun Zone and Splash Pad will be relocated. Work on the second deck of the ballpark will begin this year, but it won’t become operational until 2026.
“There will be more suites available. So folks who want to entertain, family events, customer events, business events, will be able to do so even more so going forward,” Berlin said. “We hope to have other amenities that we’re going to keep a surprise right now but we’re going to really delight our fans the day they show up for the finished stadium.”
With the larger stadium and new facilities, Berlin anticipates drawing non-sporting crowds to the upgraded venue. Pitbull and Snoop Dogg are among some of the biggest names that have performed at the stadium.
Following the expansion, seating at the stadium is expected to exceed 10,000. More than 8,000 people attended this year’s largest capacity game, Berlin said. Additional kitchens would be installed to increase the food offerings and expedite service delivery.
“We do all of the food for the entire stadium with one and a half kitchens,” Berlin added. “The kind of efficiency that our team has been able to put in place just to serve that many people in a very short period of time is extraordinary.”
Per MLB regulations, the foul ball netting will now extend down the lines as well, keeping fans safe from flying balls.
The improvements and new developments happening on the southern part of the city’s downtown are a cause for celebration after decades of neglect left the area lifeless.
“Unfortunately, for most of my lifetime, the southern part of our downtown has been roughly what you see today. A lot of empty lots, not a lot of life in this area of town,” Mueller said. “In a few short years, we’re going to see a complete transformation of this part of town and that’s exciting. It’s South Bend’s renaissance.”
This project has been decades in the making with the original builders of the stadium and city officials envisioning an upper deck before Berlin ever came along.
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New signage
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An overall look at the planned upgrades to Four Winds Field. (rendering provided)
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Outfield building
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ADA Seating
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A conceptual rendering of the upgraded Pepsi Club at Four Winds Field. (rendering provided)
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A conceptual rendering of the upgraded suites at Four Winds Field. (rendering provided)
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A conceptual rendering of the new party deck at Four Winds Field. (rendering provided)
“Mayor [Roger] Parent and the council back then invested in this stadium. It may not have been the most popular thing back then but the vision was truly about the revitalization of South Bend,” Mueller added. “We’re finally seeing that vision come to fruition and reach its full potential.”
Lawmakers passed legislation that allows the city to collect funds through a financial vehicle called the Professional Sports and Convention Development Agreement (PSCDA). Indiana cities with professional sports teams are deemed eligible for a PSCDA designation. The state hosts three Minor League baseball teams, several football, basketball and hockey franchises.
“I am pleased to have attended the groundbreaking for the expansion of Four Winds Field and I am proud to have helped leaders in our community make this possible,” Senator Ryan Mishler said. “This is a great opportunity to boost our economic growth by improving the field to attract more visitors and I look forward to watching the progress of the expansion.”
In order to immediately access the funds, the city secured a $100 million bond issue for the stadium expansion project and improvements to the Morris Theater and the Potawatomi Zoo within the designated tax area.
“It’s good news for the city of South Bend,” Berlin said. “All the wonderful things that are going on that bring culture, bring crowds, bring great experiences in the city, all got some funding through this legislation.”
The South Bend Cubs are a professional Minor League affiliate for the Chicago Cubs. The team itself has won several awards for the stadium, operation of the team and two Midwest League Championships over the past five years.
“None of this would be possible without the enthusiastic support of Mayor Mueller, the South Bend Common Council, Indiana legislators Ryan Mishler, David Niezgodski, Maureen Bauer and, of course, the Governor himself, Eric Holcomb,” Berlin said. “These improvements to Four Winds Field will make the City of South Bend the envy of Minor League teams and their host cities across the country.”
The city has partnered with the Housing Authority of South Bend to temporarily use the former Monroe Circle site as a staging area for the construction equipment. Future redevelopment for the Rabbi Shulman and Monroe Circle area will go on as planned.
“I think everything that I’m involved with, I want it to be extraordinary. I don’t want to be ordinary and this stadium is far from ordinary,” Berlin said. “I’m often pleased but never satisfied. So being able to build something extraordinary that fuels my soul, I think it’s going to fuel the soul of South Bend as well.”