Workers signed the steel beam before it was hoisted into position, where the words “Iron Workers Local 512” proudly written on the beam now high on the left-field roof canopy could be read far from the ground far below. An American flag was affixed to the beam along with the traditional evergreen tree.
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| The final beam, adorned with the traditional evergreen, bears the name, "Iron Workers Local 512." Photos by Steve Share |
After speeches by representatives of the Twins, Hennepin County, and general contractor Mortenson Construction, the 935 workers on-site and more than 400 guests were treated to a barbeque lunch courtesy of the Minnesota Twins.
At the lunch, workers shared their thoughts about the day with a reporter.
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Patrick Malone
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Toni Raferty
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Patrick Malone, Bloomington, a member of Carpenters Local 1644, said, “it feels great. It’s a great deal. They’re very generous to do something like this. It shows appreciation.”
Toni Raferty, Buffalo, a member of Laborers Local 563, said she was looking forward to taking in a baseball game in the new open-air ballpark. “It will definitely be better than the Metrodome, to sit outside.”
Mitchell Gjovik, New Brighton, a member of Iron Workers Local 512, shared mixed feelings about the day marking the topping off of the new ballpark.
“It’s an accomplishment but sad also because it means the work is almost done,” he said. “With the economy today, good luck. That’s the way it is around the whole country.”
Construction on the new Twins ballpark began in summer 2007 and is scheduled for completion for spring 2010. The construction, when completed, will involve more than 3,500 craftworkers and more than 1.3 million hours, reported Dan Mehls of Mortenson Construction.
The 40,000 seat open-air ballpark is an all-union job being built under a Project Labor Agreement with the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council.
Steve Share edits the Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation. Learn more at www.minneapolisunions.org
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| Members of Laborers Local 563: Brent Grimler, Erin Hall, Dusty Lane, John Hass, and Mike Erickson. |
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Mitchell Gjovik
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| Construction work on the new Twins ballpark is now about 75 percent complete. Completion is due for the start of the 2010 baseball season. |
Share
Workers signed the steel beam before it was hoisted into position, where the words “Iron Workers Local 512” proudly written on the beam now high on the left-field roof canopy could be read far from the ground far below. An American flag was affixed to the beam along with the traditional evergreen tree.
|
| The final beam, adorned with the traditional evergreen, bears the name, "Iron Workers Local 512."
Photos by Steve Share |
After speeches by representatives of the Twins, Hennepin County, and general contractor Mortenson Construction, the 935 workers on-site and more than 400 guests were treated to a barbeque lunch courtesy of the Minnesota Twins.
At the lunch, workers shared their thoughts about the day with a reporter.
|
|
|
Patrick Malone
|
Toni Raferty
|
“I’ve been [working] here since it started,” said Brent Gimler, Backus, a member of Laborers Local 563. “It’s just nice to see everything you’ve worked really hard for come to fruition safely.”
Patrick Malone, Bloomington, a member of Carpenters Local 1644, said, “it feels great. It’s a great deal. They’re very generous to do something like this. It shows appreciation.”
Toni Raferty, Buffalo, a member of Laborers Local 563, said she was looking forward to taking in a baseball game in the new open-air ballpark. “It will definitely be better than the Metrodome, to sit outside.”
Mitchell Gjovik, New Brighton, a member of Iron Workers Local 512, shared mixed feelings about the day marking the topping off of the new ballpark.
“It’s an accomplishment but sad also because it means the work is almost done,” he said. “With the economy today, good luck. That’s the way it is around the whole country.”
Construction on the new Twins ballpark began in summer 2007 and is scheduled for completion for spring 2010. The construction, when completed, will involve more than 3,500 craftworkers and more than 1.3 million hours, reported Dan Mehls of Mortenson Construction.
The 40,000 seat open-air ballpark is an all-union job being built under a Project Labor Agreement with the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council.
Steve Share edits the Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation. Learn more at www.minneapolisunions.org
|
| Members of Laborers Local 563: Brent Grimler, Erin Hall, Dusty Lane, John Hass, and Mike Erickson. |
|
|
Mitchell Gjovik
|
|
| Construction work on the new Twins ballpark is now about 75 percent complete. Completion is due for the start of the 2010 baseball season. |