Renovated Target Center unveiled this week

Team officials and local dignitaries were on hand this morning as the Minnesota Timberwolves officially reopened Target Center after an 18-month $145 million renovation.

Timberwolves and Lynx CEO Ethan Casson, Chief Strategy Officer Ted Johnson, arena Vice President and General Manager Steve Mattson and Target Senior Vice President of Marketing William White were on hand, as were Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and Councilwoman Lisa Goodman, for a ribbon cutting.

The project included the upgrading of all new premium spaces in the Chairman’s Club, Lexus Courtside Club, TCL Theater Boxes and Club T.I. Additionally, the entire premium level has been rebranded as the Treasure Island Resort & Casino Premium Level.

Concourse and bowl renovations include a new state-of-the-art scoreboard, refreshed restrooms, new seats and upgraded sound and digital signage.

The exterior also got a facelift, with new paneling around the arena and the addition of a three-story glass atrium and a new Life Time Lobby.

A new skyway entrance was added to the backside of the building to help fans in and out.

“We couldn’t be happier for all of our fans along with the millions of people who have shared a great experience or memorable moment here in this arena,” Casson says. “And we can’t wait for all the great memories that lie ahead as we welcome in a complete transformation of our organization both on and off the court.”

Officials began unveiling the arena’s new features earlier in the week, when Timberwolves and Lynx Executive Chef David Fhima, Levy

David Fhima

Restaurant Group and several prominent local restaurant partners hosted a tasting of the upgraded food.

“We are trying to change what food is in an arena,” he says. “Not change it to elevate the standards of an arena, change it to eliminate the standards period. The Twin Cities is home to some of the best restaurants in the county Everybody who comes to the arena goes to those restaurants. It would be an injustice to come here and say ‘well, you can eat better outside than you can inside.’”

Fhima says the offerings will range from paella, sushi burritos and foie gras to walleye sandwiches, hot dogs and hamburgers – but even the hot dogs and hamburgers will be upgraded, made with premium beef.

Much of the food being offered at Target Center will be produced locally, he adds. Among those partners:

Fhima joined the Timberwolves and Lynx before the 2016-17 NBA season and began overhauling premium level menus. The Timberwolves host the Utah Jazz October 20 for the team’s home opener.