09/24/2009 12:27 PM ETTwins announce Treasure Island Resort & Casino as founding partner of Target FieldTreasure Island becomes naming rights partner of the Twins Radio Network MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Treasure Island Resort & Casino and the Minnesota Twins today announced that they have reached an agreement on a multi-year partnership that includes a founding partner designation for Target Field, the new world-class home of the Twins scheduled to open in 2010. As part of their partnership, Treasure Island becomes the first ever naming rights partner of the Twins Radio Network, which features 78 affiliates throughout the five-state Twins Territory footprint. "The Twins are proud of our continuing partnership with Treasure Island, recently voted Minnesota's Favorite Casino for the 8th year in a row," said Twins vice president of corporate partnerships Eric Curry. "The 15-year relationship the Twins have enjoyed with the Prairie Island community has been built on mutual respect and trust." As a part of the deal, Treasure Island, the Official Best Casino of Minnesota in 2009, also becomes a cornerstone partner of the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, which enriches local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through an association with baseball, softball and the Minnesota Twins. "The Prairie Island Indian Community has supported the Minnesota Twins for the past 15 years," said Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council President Ron Johnson. "We are excited to be a founding partner of the new Target Field and to be the naming-rights sponsor of the Twins Radio Network, which reaches thousands of fans throughout Twins Territory. Another important aspect is being more involved in the Twins Community Fund, which closely aligns with the Prairie Island Indian Community's long history of giving to worthy causes." Treasure Island's founding partnership of the Twins and Target Field features a number of branding, traffic building and community partnership elements. About Treasure Island The Prairie Island Indian Community owns and operates Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Mount Frontenac golf course and Dakota Station, located just south of Hastings, Minn. The Prairie Island Indian Community has donated millions to a variety of civic and non-profit organizations over the years. For more information visit www.prairieisland.org. Treasure Island Resort & Casino is the only casino resort in southern Minnesota located on the Mississippi River. Treasure Island offers guests some of the best gaming, accommodations, food service and nationally known entertainment in the casino industry. Casino guests can relax in Treasure Island's luxurious 480-room hotel and take in a show in the new 3,000-seat Island Event and Convention Center. Additional guest amenities include a 137-slip marina, 95-site RV-park, a 120-passenger cruise yacht, Mount Frontenac golf course and Island Xtreme Bowl, a 24 Brunswick™ Lane bowling alley, arcade and lounge. Visit www.treasureislandcasino.com. About Target Field Target Field, one of America's most urban ballparks, will be located in the historic Warehouse district of downtown Minneapolis. Site clearing began May 15, 2007 with actual construction commencing in August 2007. Designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport) with Mortenson Construction serving as construction manager, the 40,000 seat ballpark is slated for completion prior to Opening Day 2010 and the cost of construction is $425 million. The Twins and Target Corporation announced a historic 25-year naming agreement for Target Field and Target Plaza on September 15, 2008. The Twins Ballpark Webcams provide fans the opportunity to view progress on the construction of the new downtown Minneapolis ballpark through completion in the spring of 2010. For more information on Target Field and to view the site through the Webcam, visit www.twinsbaseball.com/newballpark. Ballpark History The Minnesota Legislature in 2006 approved legislation to fund the new Minnesota Twins ballpark. The legislative action was the culmination of a 10-year effort to return outdoor baseball to Minnesota. Under the terms of the legislation, the public contribution totaled $350 million, which included $90 million for infrastructure and $260 million for ballpark construction. The legislation called for the primary public contribution to be financed by Hennepin County issued bonds that will be repaid from a County sales tax. Since the legislation was adopted, public sources such as the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Northstar Project and the Minnesota Ballpark Authority (MBA) have contributed an incremental $5.525 million to the Public Infrastructure Budget. The MBA was created to oversee the design, construction and operation of the new ballpark. The MBA will own the ballpark and the site on which it sits on behalf of the public. Under the original legislation, the Minnesota Twins' contribution was $130 million for ballpark construction costs and any cost overruns. Since the legislation was adopted, the team also has committed to contributing an additional $55 million ($15 million for non-land infrastructure expenses, $4.5 million for plaza enhancements and $35.5 million for ballpark enhancements). Target Corporation has also matched the Twins contribution of $4.5 million for plaza enhancements. The total ballpark budget stands at $425,491,694 with the Public Infrastructure budget at $119,525,000 as approved by the MBA on May 15, 2009.