Steel topping ceremony for stadium improvements at Four Winds Field in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (February 26, 2025) – Today, South Bend Mayor James Mueller, South Bend Cubs owner Andrew Berlin, along with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and other city officials, gathered in downtown South Bend for a steel topping ceremony at Four Winds Field. The city-owned stadium is approaching the halfway mark of a multi-year $48 million stadium improvement project that promises to bring more people downtown over the next several decades.

“This expansion project stands as a testament to the steadfast dedication of our community and the South Bend Cubs in revitalizing our city and bringing this world-class vision to life,” said Mayor James Mueller. “It’s an exciting time for South Bend and I am thrilled to see what this transformation project has in store for the growth of our city and the surrounding neighborhood.”

"This is an exciting day," stated Andrew Berlin, Owner of the South Bend Cubs. “As we approach the midpoint of the renovation here at Four Winds Field, I'm already imagining the memories that will be created for fans in this re-imagined stadium. And, I'm looking forward to the enhanced entertainment district here in downtown South Bend."

State Senator Ryan Mishler, who Chairs the Appropriations Committee and sits on the State Budget Committee, along with Senator David Niezgodski, Representatives Jake Teshka and Maureen Bauer, were instrumental in passing legislation that allows the City of South Bend to collect the needed improvement funds through a financial vehicle called the Professional Sports and Convention Development Agreement (PSCDA).

"In addition to the thousands of fans who've made this stadium expansion possible, I'd like to thank the state legislators who've helped us get this done, including Indiana State Senator Ryan Mishler, Senator David Niezgodski, Representatives, Maureen Bauer and Jake Teshka, and just as importantly, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi for whom we've named this stadium," added Berlin.

A signing ceremony for the PSCDA legislation took place in the Governor’s office at the Indiana Statehouse. It was attended in person by South Bend Mayor James Mueller, Andrew Berlin and his executive team, who have worked on this project for several years.

PSCDA legislation is unique to the State of Indiana, which hosts three professional Minor League Baseball teams and several professional football, basketball and hockey franchises. Cities with professional sports teams are deemed eligible for PSCDA by the Indiana State Legislature.

About the South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs are the High-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Over the past 36 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2022, and captured nine division titles. In 2023, the organization was selected as the Single-A Bob Freitas Award recipient by Baseball America. Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best High-A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest in 2022 and 2023, having also won the award as a Low-A ballpark in 2017. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted the final Midwest League All-Star Game. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest’s Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President’s Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.