Vikings TCF Upgrades

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MNVCGUY said:
I am going to go out on a limb and say that some consideration has been given to what it will take to get things done in time for the start of the seasons. The start dates for the Vikings and Gophers are well defined so I have to believe that all sides are on the same page and any timeline that comes out has been well planned to make sure everything is done in time.

I have never worked construction either but am willing to trust that people with millions at stake are taking the proper steps to make sure things are done right and on time.
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That bolded does not matter when it comes to the ballyhooing here on GH is all about. Our commentors know the real truth, and the real truth is that the U of M will get screwed. :banghead:
 


There are a lot more to the upgrades than just winterizing concessions and installing a heated field/new turf. There are operational requirements that the NFL has that the Big Ten does not, from TV cameras to sideline operations. These will be addressed at TCF. The scoreboard will be modified to accommodate some of these NFL requirements among other locations. It will be slightly noticeable to most fans, unfortunately.
 




highwayman said:
I'll throw a bomb out there:

Why do we care what heating system is implemented? Don't have one now.

Why do we care if the field freezes while the Vikings play? Gophers aren't playing--maybe it would come into play the last home game, but only maybe.

Why do we care about the logo for two years? 98% of recruits would be thrilled to know that an alleged pro team plays at "their" home stadium.

I cared for a while, then I put some thought into it. I guarantee that one of the contract provisions is total turf replacement after the Vikings' run. That's the only thing I really care about. The rest is nearly irrelevant.
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Thank you for being rational. My gosh, some of the stuff out there is just unbelievable.

I'll ask the question again - why does the U of M want a coil system? They cost money to maintain, they are expensive to run, and it is at best needed for one game every few years. I can think of one U of M game they would have used it. Iowa a couple years ago. Go through Lambeau's tour and ask them how much they spend maintaining their system. It's huge money! Frankly, they'd be better served ripping it out after the Vikings leave if they did install one.

I just don't get why people are so upset about getting free upgrades AND $6 million in rent over 2 years.

I do hope they also figure out a way to get more mens rooms though. I can't imagine what it will be like during a Vikes game. I darn near missed the 3rd quarter vs. Wisconsin.
 

pharmacygopher said:
I'm not. Vikings preseason started August 9th last year. Well before Gophers kicked off.
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Thought I read somewhere that maybe only 1 PS game (and maybe 0) will be played at TCF and only 7 RS games (London games will be #8) just to minimize conflicts.
 

highwayman said:
Thought I read somewhere that maybe only 1 PS game (and maybe 0) will be played at TCF and only 7 RS games (London games will be #8) just to minimize conflicts.
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Don't know about preseason, although I would think they'd want the trial runs before the regular season games to iron out bugs. There is no London game for the Vikings in 2014, maybe in 2015.
 

Lakeville Goldy said:
Thank you for being rational. My gosh, some of the stuff out there is just unbelievable.

I'll ask the question again - why does the U of M want a coil system? They cost money to maintain, they are expensive to run, and it is at best needed for one game every few years. I can think of one U of M game they would have used it. Iowa a couple years ago. Go through Lambeau's tour and ask them how much they spend maintaining their system. It's huge money! Frankly, they'd be better served ripping it out after the Vikings leave if they did install one.

I just don't get why people are so upset about getting free upgrades AND $6 million in rent over 2 years.

I do hope they also figure out a way to get more mens rooms though. I can't imagine what it will be like during a Vikes game. I darn near missed the 3rd quarter vs. Wisconsin.
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Could not agree more with the part in bold. If the Vikings were moving in permanently then I could understand some of the hand wringing but this isn't going to be like it was at the Dome. This is just a short term fix that in reality should really do nothing but good things for the U because it will provide stadium upgrades that we won't have to pay for and rent money we typically would not have had.

I don't know enough about heating systems to weigh in on that part but the ongoing maintenance cost is an interesting discussion because in reality you really don't need a field heating system in college football. On the flip side, having the system might open up some stadium usage scenarios that were not available before.
 



station19 said:
December and January in MN? It will still freeze. Threre's 16 Mill in the budget Lester. Quit being a tight ass with the U.
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And the 16M comes from the new stadium budget, funded by taxpayers.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Could not agree more with the part in bold. If the Vikings were moving in permanently then I could understand some of the hand wringing but this isn't going to be like it was at the Dome. This is just a short term fix that in reality should really do nothing but good things for the U because it will provide stadium upgrades that we won't have to pay for and rent money we typically would not have had.

I don't know enough about heating systems to weigh in on that part but the ongoing maintenance cost is an interesting discussion because in reality you really don't need a field heating system in college football. On the flip side, having the system might open up some stadium usage scenarios that were not available before.
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I don't care which system blanket or coils but wouldn't a blanket impede or prevent practice and other uses while it's in place keeping the field all snuggly warm?
 

Maverick said:
I don't care which system blanket or coils but wouldn't a blanket impede or prevent practice and other uses while it's in place keeping the field all snuggly warm?
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Still totally guessing but common sense would say that whatever system they put in, a requirement of it will be that the use of it does not interfere with normal stadium usage for practices or other events. Again I am basing that only on the assumption that the people who run the venue have some idea what they are doing and are not going to do something that would severely limit the usage of the venue.
 

Follow this link and click on February 2014 PDF docket and open up the FAC Docket.

http://regents.umn.edu/board-meetings/schedule-with-video

From the document - sorry for repeat info but this is the best explanation of the field replacement so far:

Replacement of existing artificial turf to allow changes to markings, logos, etc.to accommodate both the Vikings and University needs and the removal and installation of a new artificial turf field after the Vikings use ends.

- Installation of a field heating system.
- Winterization of numerous spaces throughout the building.
- Build out of existing 8,000 SF shelled space for storage needs.
- Additional camera platforms and data wiring for NFL requirements.
- Addition of temporary bleachers on the west plaza that will accommodate approximately 1,750 seats.

Impacts to the exterior and interior of the stadium will have virtually no visual impact.

The most noticeable feature will be the replacement of the playing field with new artificial turf that will allow adjustment of field markings to comply with the requirements of the NCAA/Athletics and NFL/Vikings. In addition the removal of a planting area to accommodate the temporary bleachers will be needed. Both the planting area and the playing field will be restored at the end of the Vikings use of the stadium.
 



For a field that will be in place for only 2 seasons and having the unique situation of having it home to the Gophers and Vikings and knowing that it has to meet NCAA & NFL guidelines, I’d like to see something different that maybe incorporates both teams and the state of MN – An endzone for each team? NFL, B10 logos on the 20 yd lines, an outline of MN at the 50? It would probably end up looking like a European pro hockey rink but it has to be better than some generic looking field where everything is painted each week.
Last thought: When they replace the field following the Vikings departure from TCF, I kind of want the Gopher to use their new font for the field markings and endzones – it is uniquely ours so we should use it everywhere.

Like Missouri with their new field:
FaurotField.jpg

Oh, and get the right shade of maroon right next time too. I kid.
 

The posts on this thread are equally hilarious and sad. People are acting as though a dirty drunken bum, who lives in a dumpster is about to crawl into your daughter's bed and steal her virginity. Good lord. Others have said it: TCF gets 6+ million of upgrades and 6 million in cash for rent for letting the Vikes play about 16-20 games over two years. What exactly is the problem here?
 

CJTGopher said:
The posts on this thread are equally hilarious and sad. People are acting as though a dirty drunken bum, who lives in a dumpster is about to crawl into your daughter's bed and steal her virginity. Good lord. Others have said it: TCF gets 6+ million of upgrades and 6 million in cash for rent for letting the Vikes play about 16-20 games over two years. What exactly is the problem here?
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I think there is still a lot of bitterness about the 20+ years at the dome where we played second fiddle to the Vikings and every other tenant over there. There is some little brother complex that kicked in as soon as it was mentioned the Vikings would be playing at TCF and immediately a section of our fan base grabbed onto this idea that it was going to be just like it was in the dome and the Vikings were going to take over our stadium. Nothing could be farther from the truth of course, but since when have rational thoughts ever played well on this site?

There are probably a few people that post here who honestly believe when it is all said and done that the Vikings will repaint all the seats purple and gold, tear down every single block M in the place, and destroy all the things that make TCF Bank stadium special just because they are the Vikings.
 

spackler said:
And the 16M comes from the new stadium budget, funded by taxpayers.
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And what he doesn't use on TCF he can use for his own goodies at the Taj Ma Zigi.....aka the Peoples Stadium.
 

golddust said:
For a field that will be in place for only 2 seasons and having the unique situation of having it home to the Gophers and Vikings and knowing that it has to meet NCAA & NFL guidelines, I’d like to see something different that maybe incorporates both teams and the state of MN – An endzone for each team? NFL, B10 logos on the 20 yd lines, an outline of MN at the 50? It would probably end up looking like a European pro hockey rink but it has to be better than some generic looking field where everything is painted each week.
Last thought: When they replace the field following the Vikings departure from TCF, I kind of want the Gopher to use their new font for the field markings and endzones – it is uniquely ours so we should use it everywhere.

Like Missouri with their new field:
View attachment 2517

Oh, and get the right shade of maroon right next time too. I kid.
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The Gophers do not have a new font. There is a different font on the new football jerseys. Putting it everywhere would be stupid and expensive idea. A perfect example of impulsive.
 

station19 said:
The Gophers do not have a new font. There is a different font on the new football jerseys. Putting it everywhere would be stupid and expensive idea. A perfect example of impulsive.
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Not to mention the font is hideous.
 

Lakeville Goldy said:
I'll ask the question again - why does the U of M want a coil system? They cost money to maintain, (1) they are expensive to run, and (2) it is at best needed for one game every few years. I can think of one U of M game they would have used it. Iowa a couple years ago. Go through Lambeau's tour and ask them how much they spend maintaining their system. It's huge money! Frankly, they'd be better served ripping it out after the Vikings leave if they did install one.
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1. It doesn't run 12 months of the year. You run it when it needs it.
2. You only need AC for a couple months of the year, but are you going to turn away getting a free central air system rather than just sticking with the window unit you have today?
 

Lakeville Goldy said:
Thank you for being rational. My gosh, some of the stuff out there is just unbelievable.

I'll ask the question again - why does the U of M want a coil system? They cost money to maintain, they are expensive to run, and it is at best needed for one game every few years. I can think of one U of M game they would have used it. Iowa a couple years ago. Go through Lambeau's tour and ask them how much they spend maintaining their system. It's huge money! Frankly, they'd be better served ripping it out after the Vikings leave if they did install one.

I just don't get why people are so upset about getting free upgrades AND $6 million in rent over 2 years.

I do hope they also figure out a way to get more mens rooms though. I can't imagine what it will be like during a Vikes game. I darn near missed the 3rd quarter vs. Wisconsin.
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I don't feel like going to Lambeau for a tour but common sense would say the vast majority of the expense is for December and January. Like others have said we only have one game a year to keep it warm for. and that's in Novermber. If you can't afford to maintain and operate it, don't turn it on.
 


station19 said:
The Gophers do not have a new font. There is a different font on the new football jerseys. Putting it everywhere would be stupid and expensive idea. A perfect example of impulsive.
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I wouldn't say its impulsive to have the field numbers match the numbers used on the jerseys - the U and Nike made a big deal about the font when the new uniforms were released and it's used all over the place already: Scoreboard, website, stadium cups, merchandise

Bottom line, When the Vikings leave, TCF will be in better than it is now.
 



Iceland12 said:
Come on. If the Wilf's say they take care of things, then it will be taken care of. Just ask Halpern and Reichman..
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I just hope it doesn't take 25 years for the Wilfs to hand over the expense money.
 

According to a report just aired on KARE-11, the Regents voted unanimously to approve the deal. It included a heating system underneath the playing surface.
 

Per Vikings release, it's a hydronic heating system:

The list of modifications, among other items, includes a hydronic heated field, increased storage space throughout the facility, heating for various areas within the stadium, and concession upgrades in the stadium’s concourses. The Vikings will also install temporary bleachers to accommodate approximately 2,000 additional fans, bringing the total capacity to TCF Bank Stadium above 52,000. Construction is expected to begin at the beginning of March and will be completed in July.
 

I'm assuming that is different than the coils everyone is talkng about? If I recall, hydronic heating systems have miles of pipes under the fild and hot liquid is run through it from a boiler to keep the field warm... let me know if I"m mistaken
 

Iceland12 said:
According to a report just aired on KARE-11, the Regents voted unanimously to approve the deal. It included a heating system underneath the playing surface.
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Film @ 6:00 on 4 and 11.
 

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