T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol ReporterOfficials from the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and University of Minnesota all made their pitch for new stadiums to the Governorís Stadium Commission on Tuesday (Jan. 6).
Of the three groups, only the university fixed costs to their vision, a 50,000-seat, open-air stadium proposed for construction near Mariucci Arena.
University officials affixed a $222 million cost to the stadium, which could be expanded to seat 80,000.
Kathleen OíBrien, vice president for university services, described the proposed Gopher stadium as ìmodern, enduring, but modest.î
University officials envision the stadium serving the university for as long as a century.
Sen. Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar, a member of the stadium commission, questioned why U of M officials abandoned a joint stadium venture with the Vikings.
Some $500,000 was spent on a study, said Finance Commissioner and commission chairman Dan McElroy laconically.
He could not physically lift the massive document, he said.
Joel Maturi, university athletics director, said a joint Gopher/Vikings stadium wouldnít work for the campus, wouldnít work for the community.
Viking officials are looking for an entertainment complex while the university is looking for a place to play football, explained university officials.
Richard Pfutzenreuter, university chief financial officer, said the university would look to private funding for the proposed stadium.
Assuming thereís a $90 million gap, should the state commit to even $6 million to $7 million annually towards the stadium, the university could take it from there, said Pfutzenreuter.
One thing he learned from the hearing is that people seem willing to deal, said Johnson.
ì(But) it also validated what I thought going in; that itís almost impossible to build three stadiums much less maybe even two,î said Johnson.
Minnesota Twins officials rolled out a model of the 42,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium the ball club is proposing.
Twins President Jerry Bell said having a new stadium is the only way of assuring the Twins remain in Minnesota.
The Twins are not looking for a financial windfall with a stadium, said Bell. The club would be willing to share revenue if the state assists in financing.
Twins officials argued for a flexible approach to funding, explaining the arbitrage legislation previously passed by the Legislature lacked that element.
ìTeams donít like some of that risk. And I understand that,î said McElroy.
A stadium deal should be worked out between the ball club and host city ó not the Legislature, Twinsí officials argued.
Vikings Executive Vice President Mike Kelly ó citing a $17 million revenue gap the ball club faces in comparison to other NFL teams ó said a new stadium will solve the Vikingsí financial problems.
Kelly called the push for a new stadium a ìforced voyage,î made necessary by the new stadiums built by other NFL teams.
The Vikings currently envision a 68,500-seat stadium.
Rep. Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview, a longtime stadium critic, said the game of ìcat and mouseî between the professional sports teams and state continues.
The teams should first put together a financial package and then approach the state, Krinkie explained.
As it is, no one knows what the teams are willing to commit to, said Krinkie.
The deadline for local governments interested in proposing a stadium location is Jan. 15.
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