SAN DIEGO -- Assured they'll be in their new downtown ballpark by 2004, the San Diego Padres finalized slugger Ryan Klesko's $16.5 million, two-year contract extension Thursday.

	Klesko

The deal, which will run through 2006, has essentially been finished since spring training. But the Padres had been waiting for the ballpark financing to be completed before announcing the extension.

The Padres closed a deal for $135 million in private financing for the stadium on May 24. The ballpark, two years behind schedule because of lawsuits and a political scandal, is due to be finished by Opening Day 2004. It's about 30 percent complete.

''It didn't really make a lot of sense to be committing large dollars without any assurances that there was a definite go-ahead for the new ballpark,'' general manager Kevin Towers said. ''That's kind of what we were waiting on.''

Klesko, a Southern California native, was obtained from the Atlanta Braves in a six-player trade on Dec. 22, 1999. In May 2000, he agreed to an $18.75 million, three-year extension through 2004.

''I really think we have a good organization,'' said Klesko, a first-time All-Star last year. ''It's all about winning. I wouldn't have thought about being here if I didn't think we had a chance to win. If everybody can stay healthy, we can have a good team, especially in the next few years.''

The Padres haven't had a winning season since 1998. Less than two weeks after they were swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series that year, the ballpark was approved by the voters.

In November, the Padres gave slugger Phil Nevin a $34 million, four-year extension through 2006, the richest deal in club history. The contract included a provision that Nevin could be traded by mutual consent if the ballpark project failed.

''Klesko and Nevin are arguably two of the top 3-4 hitters in the National League,'' Towers said. ''It's not only a comforting feeling for myself and (manager Bruce) Bochy, but hopefully for the fans, that at least three years into our new ballpark, they're going to be getting at-bats every day.''

Both Klesko and Nevin have no-trade clauses.

Klesko has batted .290 with 69 home runs and 244 RBI in two-plus seasons with San Diego. Last year, Klesko hit .286 with 30 homers and a career-high 113 RBI.

This season, he's batting .311 with 13 homers and 39 RBI.