Stadium thread

[thatguy]

As far as not having a solid plan and sticking to it because they know it will fail??? I guess Im not a fan of that train of thought. Do they think it will be more likely to get passed if they jump around from location to location and from style of stadium to style of stadium?? If I had a vote, Id be leery that they lack a solid plan, as it seems to change as often as the weather in Minnesota. The Vikings seem to be trying to get as much state funding as possible, contributing as little as possible, and changing their vision for the stadium and its location/style so often, its tough to be confident they know what they are doing or even know what they want. I love the Vikings and hope they dont move, but, IMO, they arent doing themselves many favors, especially the last 2 years. And Bagley is definately not the right guy to lead the effort IMO.

I agree with your sentiments about Lester wholeheartedly. He's a very polarizing figure, and he's probably the first member of the current organization to make passive threats about leaving Minnesota. I feel, though, at some point, they do have to raise the pressure so that something does get done. If for nothing else, at least you have to commend the fact that he wants to get something done in MINNESOTA. I just feel like the Vikings have been dicked around by the legislature at this point that they've tried appeasing too many politicians. Some demand open-roof for lower costs, and others demand closed/retractable roof because it will host year-round events. You're right in that they need to have a set plan (which I think they have at this point...they just basically are giving the legislature options). I don't care how it gets done...it just needs to get done in Minnesota.

[J. Kapp 11]

From the Pioneer Press:

MINNEAPOLIS—The new head of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission said Thursday that replacing the snow-damaged roof of the Metrodome would likely take five to six months, raising the possibility of affecting next season's schedule for the Minnesota Vikings.

Ted Mondale took the oath as chairman Thursday, less than a week after Gov. Mark Dayton made the former state senator his administration's point man on the push for a new Vikings stadium.

"This is the year we do it," Mondale said of the effort to replace the Metrodome as the state's NFL venue.

Read the full article.

[headless_norseman]

Anyone else got anything more on this interesting line:


State lawmakers who support the team’s request are aiming by later in February to introduce a proposal that would include a location, type of stadium and a financing plan.

[APeterson28]

Not suprising....

[thatguy]

Anyone else got anything more on this interesting line:


State lawmakers who support the team’s request are aiming by later in February to introduce a proposal that would include a location, type of stadium and a financing plan.

AKA we won't know ANYTHING until then. Expect to see a revised plan that will probably use luxury taxes (hotel, car rental, etc.) to help foot the bill (as we've seen with a lot of other stadiums - like Lucas Oil Stadium).

[canadaviking08]

I am glad to see the dome might not be ready for preseason only because it will really push the issue and get it resolved with no more delays. The vikings need a new stadium and it is time to make it happen, i really do not want to see them play at Ford Field again for our home game

[GoldenBear91]

It would be really fun to have a new stadium and I think there is a new twist since the Metro Dome is broke down. It should make people take a longer look at getting this done.

[glg]

I am glad to see the dome might not be ready for preseason only because it will really push the issue and get it resolved with no more delays. The vikings need a new stadium and it is time to make it happen, i really do not want to see them play at Ford Field again for our home game

They'd play at TCF in the fall. The only reason they played at Ford is that TCF couldn't be ready quickly enough.

[NDVikeFan]

I just dont understand how some people cant grasp the concept of the Vikings leaving. If the Vikings left, sure life would go on, but the void would be HUGE for the whole state. It would be disastorous to let the Vikings go.

[radar55]

I hope everyone is ready to say hello to the L.A. Vikings if they dont get the stadium done this time. There is no way any NFL owner would (or should) keep a team in a state where a) they dont have a lease on their current stadium or b) the stadium is falling down in need of repairs and wont be ready for the start of the year or c) they dont have plans for a stadium of their own.

Do you think for one minute that this ownership is willing or wanting to play its home games at the local college revenue? You cant expect Wilf to allow the team to play its home games at the gophers stadium all year (sharing some the revenues) not knowing where they will be playing the following year?

The Vikings will not play the upcoming season in total limbo and its unfair to ask them to do so. Either the deal gets done this year or be prepared to say goodbye to the team.

[J. Kapp 11]

Update today from the Pioneer Press ...

Ted Mondale wants to help the Minnesota Vikings get a new stadium, but first he must make sure they can play their final season in the Metrodome.

Sworn in Thursday as chairman of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which owns and operates the Metrodome, Mondale was immediately faced with the possibility of replacing the entire roof, which collapsed in the Dec. 11-12 blizzard.

"We expect an answer in the next two weeks," he said. "If it needs to be replaced, it will cost $15 million and take six months. That's the worst-case scenario."

The team has questioned the need for a roof, calling it a luxury for fans, but that is seen largely as a bid by the Vikings to put up less of their own money. Owner Zygi Wilf has committed to paying one-third the cost of a roofless stadium, something the team contended, in fall 2009, could be built for about $650 million.

But key legislators on both sides of the aisle, including the likely Republican sponsor of a stadium bill, Sen. Julie Rosen of Fairmont, have said a roof is needed and likely to be part of any deal. The facilities commission wants a roof, as well.

"It's our stated policy that the Vikings allow you to have a facility," Lester said, "and that once you have that facility, our response is that you must maximize its return by playing host to the broadest range of activities possible."

Read the full article.

An interesting point in the article is that the Metrodome used to be in operation about 300 days a year, at the height of its popularity. I don't know if a domed stadium or retractable-roof stadium would ever get that kind of use, but it's a lot more than even I had thought (in case you don't know, I'm a huge proponent of a retractable-roof stadium for ECONOMIC reasons).

[Eli]

An interesting point in the article is that the Metrodome used to be in operation about 300 days a year, at the height of its popularity. I don't know if a domed stadium or retractable-roof stadium would ever get that kind of use, but it's a lot more than even I had thought (in case you don't know, I'm a huge proponent of a retractable-roof stadium for ECONOMIC reasons).

I don't understand. Why wouldn't a new stadium with a roof get just as much use as the old one?

A retractable roof might be cool, but I don't see much, if any, economic advantage to it. It's more expensive and can only really be used about four months of the year in a place like Minnesota where the summers can be stifling and the winters are long an brutal.

[Demi]

in case you don't know, I'm a huge proponent of a retractable-roof stadium for ECONOMIC reasons

Agree completely. If you're going to do it, do it right. But it makes too much sense and both the state and Zygi want this done on the cheap so it won't happen.

[glg]

I don't understand. Why wouldn't a new stadium with a roof get just as much use as the old one?

A retractable roof might be cool, but I don't see much, if any, economic advantage to it. It's more expensive and can only really be used about four months of the year in a place like Minnesota where the summers can be stifling and the winters are long an brutal.

I'm in full agreement with this. Roof, yes. Retractable, no.

[NDVikeFan]

I hope everyone is ready to say hello to the L.A. Vikings if they dont get the stadium done this time. There is no way any NFL owner would (or should) keep a team in a state where a) they dont have a lease on their current stadium or b) the stadium is falling down in need of repairs and wont be ready for the start of the year or c) they dont have plans for a stadium of their own.

To be honest i wouldn't even be mad at Ziggy if he took the team to LA. Its been the same song and dance with this new stadium plan since what '98? This is a business, he owns the team, has to do whats right for him, and this Stadium issue should have been taken care of long ago. There is absolutely no reason the Vikings should not be in a new Stadium in Minnesota starting in 2012. I hate to agree with you but the Los Angeles Vikings (or whatever they will be if they leave the colors and logo's and name in Minnesota) are looking like a real strong possibility.

Even if they do get this deal done this summer what year could the Vikes have a new Stadium ready to go? 2014? 2015? Looks like Minnesota is playing with fire and imo they are going to get burnt. Can you imagine the 2012 season starting and after 51 years the Vikings not being part of Minnesota? Cleveland lucked out and got there Browns back. Betting on the same thing with the Vikings if they were to leave is a horrible idea.