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IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Fifth Third Field Mortgage Paid off Five Years Early

August 25, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


The Lucas County Commissioners, Toledo Mud Hens and Fifth Third Bank held a "mortgage burning ceremony" on Thursday, August 25 to celebrate the debt on Fifth Third Field being paid off.

"By coming together as a community, we paid off the mortgage on Fifth Third Field five years ahead of schedule," says Tina Skeldon Wozniak, President of the Lucas County Commissioners. "It's a tribute to all of the fans, suite holders, sponsors, the Mud Hens players, staff, management, and employees that we are able to celebrate today."

Twenty years ago a public-private partnership was formed to build the ballpark at the corner of Washington and Huron in Toledo's Warehouse District. With groundbreaking in October of 2000, it opened in April of 2002, at a total cost of $39.2 million. That included a $38 million bond financing package for the project to be completely paid off in 2021. With tremendous community support, the schedule was shortened with additional rent payments made by the Toledo Mud Hens to Lucas County, along with a refinancing agreement reached by the county back in 2010 which lowered interest rates.

"Fifth Third Field started out as a vision of a ballpark in a downtown setting, surrounding by businesses both large and small, catering to baseball fans young and old," says Commissioner Pete Gerken. "Today that vision is realized for what has become a premier baseball facility and a beloved community gathering space."

Since opening, Fifth Third Field has attracted more than 8 million fans to watch the world-famous Toledo Mud Hens in action, including cheering on back-to-back IL Governors' Cup Championships in 2005 and 2006.

"So many people have contributed to the success of Fifth Third Field, but most importantly we have to thank the community and our fans for their tremendous on-going support," says Toledo Mud Hens President and CEO Joe Napoli. "Moving into Fifth Third Field we went from worst to first in so many minor league baseball categories: best ballpark, top minor league market in the country, as well as numerous organizational excellence awards."

"Today is a day for all Lucas County residents to be proud and to celebrate," says Commissioner Carol Contrada. "Fifth Third Field is 'the People's Park', and today the people own it free and clear."

Annual attendance for the Toledo Mud Hens has topped the half-million mark every season since Fifth Third Field has been in operation. It was also the venue of the first two outdoor hockey games in ECHL history, when the Toledo Walleye hosted Winterfest from December 26, 2014 through January 4, 2015. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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