MEDIA Big Week For Stadium Proposal

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Big Week For Stadium Proposal

By Viking Update Staff

Date: 4/4/2001

Already the process for the Vikings' new stadium drive has been a long one, especially if you count Roger Headrick's efforts years ago, but this week is as important as any for the Vikings.

Good morning -- at least until the Vikings have had a chance to meet with the Minnesota House of Representatives about their joint stadium proposal this morning.

This is a huge week for the Vikings' stadium efforts. Their study bill, which would form a group to examine the best way to try and finance an additional $150 million above the user fees and private contributions of the Vikings and NFL, has found sponsors and several co-authors in both the state House of Representatives and Senate. Now they have to continue to have their bill move through committees and gain support.

The biggest hurdle could be today, according to what Vikings vice president of business operations Mike Kelly told VU earlier this week. Kelly meets with the House representatives, the toughest of which he expects to be the Republicans, which he characterized as more conservative in the House than the Senate, this morning.

As if that isn't a big enough week, Kelly moves on to a University of Minnesota Board of Regents meeting on Thursday to seek their official approval of the joint stadium effort between the Vikings and the University of Minnesota. The stadium would be housed on the university's campus and feature a retractable roof (the Gophers say they need open air and the Vikings say they need a roof at least part of the time).

Stadium funding is a huge issue for both the Minnesota Twins and the Vikings as each organization works on separate proposals. The Vikings are simply looking for solutions right now with the formation of a task force, which is the purpose of the study bill. Their hope is to have an action bill before the legislature for the 2002 session.

If not … well, right now the Vikings don't want to dwell on the negative.

WEDNESDAY NOTES * For a very in-depth, comprehensive look at the Vikings' side of the stadium issue, Viking Update has put together an extensive question and answer session with Kelly in it's print edition. It features numerous questions on the important key upcoming dates, the in-depth financing of a stadium and the special features of a new stadium. Call 1-800-256-7110 today to subscribe.

* While former Chiefs running back Greg Hill was in Washington, D.C. for a visit with the Redskins recently, he told one source that the Vikings have contacted him. However, don't look for anything to happen there at le

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), April 05, 2001

Answers

Just the first step, albeit a positive one in a long process. My guess, at least my hope is the Vikes and Gophers get a stadium in Minneapolis and the Twins get one in St. Paul on the waterfront. GO VIKES!!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), April 05, 2001.

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