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St. Paul stadium and Xcel complex requests draw questions on costs, standards and financing

5101475 · March 20, 2025
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Summary

State lawmakers heard requests for $8 million for CHS Field upgrades and a larger appropriation proposal for renovation of the Xcel Energy Center complex. Presenters emphasized economic impact, player‑safety standards and community programming; members questioned financing, debt service and local impacts.

Representatives and city and team officials on March 20 presented two related capital requests for St. Paul sports venues, prompting committee questions about financing, future standards and community benefits.

CHS Field: Representative Carlos Perez Vega asked the committee to consider House File 13 61, an $8,000,000 bonding request for CHS Field in St. Paul’s Lowertown. Tom Whaley, executive vice president of the St. Paul Saints, said requirements that accompanied the Saints’ affiliation with Major League Baseball in 2021 left visiting‑team facilities “deficient” and outlined upgrades such as visitor locker rooms, a training room and a larger commissary. “Our visiting player facilities are deficient,” Whaley said. He added the Saints have invested…

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