He said there have been talks in Legislature about a new stadium since he was elected in 1998, but the early ideas were turned away because the team had many years remaining on its lease. One reason Buesgens said a Vikings stadium has not been passed yet is because of a lack of urgency brought on by the 2011 lease. Terwilliger said the cost to renovate is nearly as much as a new stadium, and the Vikings are looking for a 30-year plan. Some teams choose to renovate their stadiums instead of starting from scratch, but Anderson and Terwilliger said that is not a long-term option. Although the MSFC does not have a detailed plan for a new stadium, Terwilliger said they are working on a proposal to be done April 16 for a new stadium to be built on the site of the Metrodome.
23, when Terwilliger reminded the House of Representatives Local Government Division Committee of the urgency for a new stadium. The most recent discussions between the Legislature and the Vikings took place on Feb. It doesnâÄôt give fans the experience they deserve or expect for professional games,âÄù Anderson said. âÄúThe Metrodome is coming up on 30 years of use.
The team currently ranks 32nd out of 32 teams in revenue, despite being a playoff team, and Minneapolis Sports Facilities Commission Chairman Roy Terwilliger said 28 teams have either renovated or built new stadiums since 1995. âÄúWe absolutely understand the economic situation, but we also need people to understand that we have 30 games remaining on the use agreement,âÄù Anderson said. The VikingsâÄô lease on the Metrodome runs out after the 2011 season, and team Manager of Public Affairs Jeff Anderson said he hopes a new stadium plan is passed before that time. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan, said the current economic climate has made a new stadium less of a priority. But now, that economic impact is becoming more of a risk, and Rep. âÄúI donâÄôt think thereâÄôs a lot of interest in building a stadium when weâÄôve got these other problems.âÄù Betzold authored the 2006 bill to bring the Vikings to Blaine because he represents the northern suburbs and was excited about the possible economic impact it could bring.
âÄúThe clock is ticking around here, and weâÄôve got to get a budget passed with these huge deficits,âÄù Betzold said. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, said he doesnâÄôt foresee that opportunity coming anytime soon. The Vikings declined, however, because they wanted to remain in downtown Minneapolis, but Sen. Discussions for a new Vikings stadium began in 1997, and the team was closest when a bill to build a stadium in Blaine, Minn., passed through the Legislature in 2006. With MinnesotaâÄôs current budget issues, the cost of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium is becoming less and less appealing.
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