Twins and MBA award new Target Field video display project to Daktronics
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins, in conjunction with the Minnesota Ballpark Authority (MBA), today announced that the new Target Field video display project has been awarded to Daktronics. With more than 10,000 square feet of LED display, the ballpark’s proposed new main videoboard would currently be the fourth largest in Major League Baseball, and the fifth to be HDR capable. Pending final agreement, the new Target Field main videoboard, along with any potential additions or alternate elements for the ballpark’s other digital displays, are set to be assembled in Minnesota at Daktronics’ Redwood Falls manufacturing plant, be installed next offseason and make their debut on Opening Day 2023.
Daktronics, one of three finalists, was approved as the preferred vendor for the video display project (Phase 2 of the ongoing Target Field scoreboard replacement project) during this morning’s MBA meeting; finalization of scope, design and cost details will be forthcoming. The Brookings, South Dakota-based company previously built the current Target Field main videoboard, ribbon board, out-of-town scoreboard and bullpen board (all installed prior to the ballpark’s inaugural 2010 season); the rightfield videoboard and Twins Tower (both installed prior to the 2011 season); and several other digital displays throughout the ballpark.
“The Minnesota Twins are thrilled to continue our partnership with Daktronics as we bring the next generation of stadium videoboard technology to our ballpark and our fans,” said club President & CEO Dave St. Peter. “We had an opportunity when Target Field opened in 2010 to take a huge leap forward with our scoreboard and digital displays, and Daktronics delivered. Now, after 13 seasons, it is time to again bring best-in-class technology to our ballpark, and we are fortunate to have the industry leader right here in Twins Territory.”
“The Minnesota Ballpark Authority is very excited to add Daktronics to our project team,” said MBA Executive Director Dan Kenney. “This is a major investment and it’s gratifying to know we will have DAK’s team working directly with us to refine the final scope of improvements, to get the best value, and to deliver the most impactful upgrades to the fan experience at Target Field.”
The current main videoboard at Target Field is 57 feet high by 101 feet wide; the proposed design for the new LED display calls for a 76 percent size increase – to 57 feet high by 178 feet wide – by capturing the existing adjacent static advertising. By virtue of ongoing work to replace the existing Target Field control room equipment (Phase 1 of the scoreboard replacement project, which received MBA approval in July), the new videoboard will feature the life-like quality of HDR imaging.
“Daktronics is thrilled to continue our partnership with the Minnesota Twins and Target Field,” said Daktronics Regional Sales Manager Tony Mulder. “When Target Field opened, the Twins were one of the first to install a true HD videoboard, and now continue to embrace technology as one of the early adopters of HDR. We are truly humbled to be working with such a forward-thinking organization!”
The base element for Phase 2 of the Target Field scoreboard replacement project encompasses replacing the existing “Stadium Vision” system and video monitors throughout the ballpark prior to the 2023 season. Additionally, the Twins and the MBA, in collaboration with Daktronics, are currently studying additional and/or alternate elements needed for the entirety of the ballpark’s digital display landscape, including the main videoboard, rightfield videoboard and Twins Tower, among others.
TARGET FIELD SCOREBOARD REPLACEMENT PROJECT
Phase 1: Scoreboard Control Room Project (Alpha Video & Audio)
- Replacing all existing Target Field control room equipment
- Equipment production began in October 2021
- Installation will begin in January 2022 and be completed prior to the 2022 season
Phase 2: Video Display Project (awarded to Daktronics)
- Replacing main videoboard, Stadium Vision system and video monitors throughout Target Field
- Ongoing study of additional and/or alternate elements for all Target Field digital displays
- Proposed new main videoboard:
- 57 feet high by 178 feet wide (10,146 square feet of LED display)
- 76 percent larger than current display and would currently be the fourth-largest videoboard in Major League Baseball
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) capable
- Comes from Daktronics’ Redwood Falls, Minnesota plant
- Equipment production to begin in 2022
- Installation to begin following the 2022 season and be completed prior to the 2023 season
Budget
- Phase 1: $7.6 million
- Phase 2 (current estimate): $21.9 million
- Total: $29.5 million (50% funded by the Minnesota Twins and 50% funded by the Minnesota Ballpark Authority’s Ballpark Capital Reserve Fund)