The most recent development on the stadium front comes from Access Vikings.  They report that a group of legislators roamed around the Metrodome (and Mall of America Field) on Monday in an effort to lay their eyes on the thing itself, see the issues first hand, and ask questions.

Also present on the tour were Lester Bagley, the Vikings’ main spokesman, and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission sent Executive Director Bill Lester and Chairman Roy Terwilliger. 

Some of the main points that were relayed to the politicians were that the roof on the Metrodome is currently eight years past it’s warranty and expected life, narrow concourses, inadequate restroom facilities for women, the scoreboard is in need of replacement, and so is the turf.  The annual maintenance costs are projected to be $4 to $6 million per year.

The tour started out at Target field, the Twins new stadium.  The point of this, and the entire tour, was to show what the exact differences between old and new stadiums are.  The Vikings have made it clear that they will not extend their lease on the Metrodome which ends in 2011. 

The Commission also made it clear that if the Vikings were to leave town, then the finances of having a climate controlled stadium are unfeasible, and that the Metrodome or any new stadium would be dead in the water as the Vikings presence makes up more than three times the revenue of all other events held at the Dome.

“If the Vikings are gone, the end is very near,” Lester told the legislators.

Renovation of the Dome is thought to be out of the question, as the mechanical plant contains parts from the 70’s and has become outdated.

“At some point, you have to scrap the whole thing and start over,” Terwilliger said.

The politicians on hand thought of the tour as useful, but were not overcome with optimism. 

Meanwhile, a number of grass roots operations are forming and becoming prominent representatives of those who support the Vikings getting a new stadium.  www.savethevikes.org is planning on holding a rally at the State Capitol on December 3rd from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Zygi Wilf recently said this about the stadium issue, “We need to get everybody involved in discussing the solutions to this issue. Just to put it off because it’s not politically correct or whatever political reasons why people might have is not tackling the issue. I feel everyone should be engaged and try to find different answers. At least get to the table and not put it off because it’s not politically popular right now. It’s unfortunate that many don’t want to get engaged in it because it doesn’t serve their political purpose. The Vikings are an important part of the community and as I’ve stated I’m not just owner but the guardian of this team. This team belongs to the fans of Minnesota. We need to get everybody who makes the decisions on the Hill [in St. Paul] and the governor’s office to be more engaged to discuss things more and try to find solutions. To run away from it is not an acceptable answer to us.”

The stadium issue is not going to go away anytime soon, but Vikings Gab will endevour to keep you updated as much as possible.