Fall to Pieces: The Dome is Down for the Count, Probably...
by Skol Girl on Dec 12, 2010 5:14 PM CST
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Yesterday, in what was a symbolic parody of just how awry everything in the universe had gone, my father accidentally set our snowblower on fire. At the time, I thought, "That is just as weird and bad as it gets."
But no.
No, our snowblower being set on fire and having to manually work on removing more than a foot of snow from the driveway was absolutely trumped in a big, fat way by the Metrodome in the early hours of Sunday morning. That sucker fell like a bad soufflé under the weight of all the snow that has socked the upper-midwest from Friday to Saturday. This storm, which is the worst blizzard the Twin Cities have faced since the 1991 Halloween Blizzard (my last year of trick-or-treating), will probably go down in history as the storm that killed the Dome.
Sure, there are all sorts of things that can be said of this storm (some have called it Snowmageddon or Snownami) that had me wading through drifts that came halfway up my thigh, but you just know that the dramatic footage of snow breaking through the Teflon roof of the Dome and plummeting to the field in a fantastically destructive reverse geyser is the image that is going to stick with a lot of us.
While it's true that the Dome has collapsed before, it hasn't done so since the 1980s. That means it weathered the last major blizzard, the Halloween Blizzard in 1991, without breaking. I don't know if this weekend's storm was so much worse than the Halloween Blizzard (I remember that one being pretty bad but with lots of candy), but the Metrodome was not up to the challenge this time around and the NFL had to scramble to reschedule the game in another venue-Ford Field in Detroit, Monday night at 6:20pm.
So far, the Minnesota Vikings organization has been quiet about the Dome collapse, letting the catastrophic damage speak for itself. But I would imagine that at least some of them have been thinking what a lot of the fans are already thinking-new stadium. And, when you look at the disaster area in Minneapolis that was formerly a Dome, it kind of looks like they need a new stadium. It may even turn out that this collapse is the step backward that will enable the push for a new stadium to finally move forward.
For the time being, Mall of America Field is dead. The fifth largest snowfall of all time in the Twin Cities killed it. For the Dome to be ready in time for the Vikings final "home" game on December 20, 2010, it would take a miracle.
As luck would have it, I'm actually supposed to be heading to Michigan tomorrow and I would dearly love to see the Vikings play in Detroit. However, as anyone who has tried to travel through the upper-midwest during the winter or paid attention to the Vikings in 2010 knows, it doesn't pay to count on anything.
Rest in peace Mall of America Field, rest in peace.
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this collapse...
…should be on the ‘Crumbling of America’.
SKOL VIKES!
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Dec 12, 2010 5:21 PM CST reply actions
We made the top of the national news tonight with the Dome collapse.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Everyone is missing the obvious fix...
Just rip the roof off and play outside. Vikings football was never the same since we moved indoors. Screw hosting a superbowl, we should play on the frozen tundra!
That's been my thoughts
for a long time, going outdoors. I’ve made the argument before that Minnesota would get their one token Superbowl, and that’s it. NCAA Tourneys, split those between Williams Arena and Target Center.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 7:03 AM CST up reply actions
Maybe
The Dome’s heart was broken that Brett Favre, the best Vikings quarterback to ever play at the Dome, was going to have to miss the game. It just couldn’t take it.
Win one for the Dome!
Maybe we should fly the flags at half-mast :'(
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
I hope they fix it before next weeks MNF game.
I will be there.
Have you seen the pics of the damage?
I know that they got the Dome back up and functional in four days the last time it collapsed in the 1980s, but I find it really hard to believe that they are going to be able to resurrect this wreck. But they have flown experts in to evaluate the damage and advise on what is best to do about the Dome, so who knows.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Yeah
I am just keeping my hopes up since this will be my first Vikings game.
You picked a lu-lu of a time to get to a game.
I don’t know if you’re coming from out of town, but there is a chance that the game could be at TCF stadium where the U of M Gophers play. Dress warmly my friend, dress warmly.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
in 1983
It was just one hole. We have 2 or 3 in total differant places, so that hinders thing greatly I’m afraid.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 12, 2010 5:58 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, one hole in the roof would be bad enough, but three?
Good luck getting that roof fixed before December 20.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Yeah, I am coming from North Dakota
But, these tickets were purchased back in early November so it’s not like I bought them yesterday. No one could have predicted this outcome with the Dome.
Kind of the story of the season--stuff you wouldn't have predicted happens with alarming regularity in 2010.
Funny in that kind of ironic way, one of the advantages of playing in a dome is that the weather isn’t supposed to interfere with the games.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
yes this is an absolute and total joke
this dome is dead and well it should be.
looks like a 3rd world country facility
by los vikingos on Dec 12, 2010 6:55 PM CST up reply actions
Play it at TCF
You can’t tell me that can’t be cleaned up in one week, No excuses!
by CitrusFLViking on Dec 12, 2010 11:32 PM CST up reply actions
They are looking at that
It’s just today’s game they wouldn’t have been able to get it ready.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 7:04 AM CST up reply actions
This sucks for you guys
I’m glad nobody was hurt as nobody was in the stadium. Now you essentially lose a home game. This has been a rough season for you. Maybe it’ll be the motivation your politicians need to build a new stadium for your beloved Vikings.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Thanks
We can only hope though. Actually, while no one was hurt, there were folks at the Dome when she let go. If you watch the video from inside of the roof coming down, pay attention to the far side of the field. You’ll see someone on a cart hauling ass towards the garage area as the roof started to come down.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 12, 2010 6:01 PM CST up reply actions
Poor cart guy!
A news woman here in MN said the sound she heard on the recording when the roof of the Dome was caving in reminded her of the sound of a tsunami. That’s an experience that could haunt a person.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
This is proof that
God hates the Metrodome and wants the Vikings to get a new stadium.
The Daily Norseman
Off Tackle Empire
SB Nation Minnesota
"A parent's only as good as their dumbest kid. If one wins a Nobel Prize but the other gets robbed by a hooker, you failed."
by Ted Glover on Dec 12, 2010 6:04 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
No, no Ted, don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Personally, the most bizarre angle for me...
…is that I work in Michigan quite a bit, and I was considering a trip out there this weekend. I would have been working in Detroit tomorrow and Tuesday, which would have put me in good position to actually attend tomorrow’s game.
But, the same weather system that killed the Metrodome roof made me beg off on the trip to Michigan. I have driven through plenty of lake-effect snow in western Michigan, and believe me it is no fun.
by Midnight Rambler on Dec 12, 2010 6:12 PM CST reply actions
Well, you're missing a game...
But you’ve saved yourself the headache of unnecessary winter driving. Glad you are safe at home even if you are missing the free game you’d get to take in if you were in Detroit :)
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Ironically
I was reading a story a few days ago on that they did an inpection of the roof. Originally, it was supposed to last 20 years. The story appeared in the Star Tribune back in July. They found a few small holes in areas of the roof and a oil film from the truck rallies. If it is deemed the holes became tears during the storm, what does this say about the inspection of all buildings, roads and the like not only in Minnesota, but everywhere?
Teams may go, but Dome roof is here to stay
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
Ah yes, what about the structural inspections?
Minnesotans heard a lot about this after the 35W bridge collapse. It is really fortunate that no one was hurt when the Dome came crashing in because, if it turns out that there was some intentional negligence in misconstruing the state of the Dome roof, things could get ugly.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Yeah
Both are eerie for me. I remember all the times as a kid going over that bridge before we moved here, and of course, the games in the Dome. If it comes down to that they knew something might go wrong with the roof like they did with the bridge, not going to be a pretty sight to behold. Either case, I think this gives the Vikes more ammo for the stadium issue.
Still going to Michigan tomorrow? If so, be dang safe!!!!
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 12, 2010 7:36 PM CST up reply actions
Winter Travel
Well, not sure about Michigan. I would hate to miss seeing my niece turn one, but I would also hate to spend her birthday in a snow bank somewhere in Wisconsin. Ah, the joys of winter travel. Tomorrow we’re going to wait and see what the weather around Chicago does and decide if we want to brave it on Tuesday.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Whats funny
The few snow storms they have here in Albuquerque, they always call me to come help them! lol I was almost a professional cheufferr here after a major storm just before New Years in 06/07. That dumped 14 inches of snow here at my house (see pic below of my buried Firebird). A few roof collapsed, but they are not used to that here. In Minny, they should have been on top of the roof situation the whole time.
Hope you get to see your niece. Missed my nieces 1st Birthday, but she is up in Ohio, so a bit of a longer drive here. But see her and my nephew once a year at least, so it’s all good.
14" snow storm in and around Albuquerque NM, 12/06/ Yes, that is my Firebird under the snow
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 12, 2010 7:53 PM CST up reply actions
Wow.
At that point maybe your Firebird could tunnel under the snow.
Funny how popular ex-pat Minnesotans get when people need to deal with fish or snow. When I lived in So-Cal I didn’t have to help anyone out with snow, but every time someone wanted to fry fish it was, “hey, you’re from Minnesota!”
I guess part of the problem with the Dome roof was that the winds were gusting too dangerously to have people up there getting the snow off the roof.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
I get that too with the fishing part!
I heard that too about the workers. Glad no one was hurt though. But reading up, the Metrodome, Pontiac Silverdome, RCA Dome, BC Place and Carrier Dome all have the same style roof. According to what I’ve read, all had their issues, or still do. As mentioned above, BC Place is replacing that roof with a retractable one, the Silverdome sit’s empty still but still needs roof maintenance, RCA Dome is in the landfill and Carrier Dome is still being used by Syracuse but has had it’s issues in the past.
All in all, a design that many have steered away from. THe RCA Dome was the last of them to be built, and I ronically, the 1st to be leveled. Seem’s like we’ve had more then a few issues. BC Place had a major tear in it back in 2007. That’s why they said to hell with it and replaced the roof.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 12, 2010 8:28 PM CST up reply actions
The Dome has many issues.
The gaping tears in the roof are just the most noticeable ones. It really is going to be tough for the Metropolitan Sports Commission to convince the Vikings to renew their lease on the Metrodome now.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
True that!
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 7:05 AM CST up reply actions
I would say it is 100.0000% unlikely that Vikings will sign any new contract to play in Metrodome — unless it is one that is clearly stopgap while waiting for new stadium.
This really brings the whole stadium issue to a head IMO. The Vikings know that if they can’t get a new stadium with this image fresh in everyone’s minds, then they never will. So they will leave ASAP. It’s do or die time for keeping Vikings around now.
Pretty much.
Makes it hard for the legislators to claim that the Vikings don’t need a new facility and are just a bunch of whiny punks. That said, I seriously hope they will explore more avenues for finding funding than just getting the public to pay for it.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Name change?
Maybe we can now call it the MetroBOWL, since, apparently Humphry has finally run out of hot air. LOL.
Way this season's been
How about the Black Hole?
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 12, 2010 7:41 PM CST up reply actions
this is an embarrassment
either its a new stadium or the vikes leave, but this is plain and simple a joke.
a foot of snow is not that much, we got 3 last year in dc….if the dome cant hold a foot of snow, tear that piece of crap down
Its been that kind of season.
I guess the Dome and the 2010 Vikings just couldn’t handle the pressure. sucks to say.
SKOL VIKINGS!!!! Go Spurs Go!!!! Go Cubbies!!! Hook Em' Horns!!!!
Maybe I should have used the song "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Hubert H. Humphrey Metro Dome Roof is 30 Years Old!
The Metro Domes rook is 30 years-old. Most roofs on building have to be replaced every 30 years. So this collapse was inevitable. The “Teflon” in the roof panels wear out from exposure to wind, rain, hail and snow.
On ESPN, word is that the Metro Dome maintenance crew will not even know until late afternoon or evening on Tuesday, it the roof can be repaired in time for the Monday Night game on December 20th.
I was outside in the Blizzard on Saturday snow-blowing out my driveway and those of my neighbors. Many of the neighbors also joined in and we snowblowed the blocked side street entrances after the City, County, & State Emergency Snowplow crews came by clearing our main roads. Officially on the East Side of the Twin Cities Metro Area there was 24+ inches of snow fall. The snow was dry and blew, but there was just enough moisture in the snow, so when the temperatures dropped over night, the snow harden into solid blocks of frozen snow.
The Eskimo’s haver 63 words to describe the different types of snow! This snow is one that they would use for making Igloos for protection from blizzards. I spent 6 years in Alaska base at Fort Wainwright in the 6th Infantry Division (Light) (Arctic) and the Eskimo Units (Alaska National Guard) where our instructors on surviving during the winter when the high temperature would be -40 degrees F, sometimes falling to -70 degrees F, with high winds!.
There is a connection between Minnesota and Alaska during our Minnesota Winter Season, the Arctic Air blasts down through Canada into the Midwest. Whatever the weather is like in Anchorage AK, is was Minnesota experiences 7 days later!
SFC S. H. McGarthwaite
U. S. Army Retired
1968-1995
Everyone we meet in life give us happiness, some by their arrival, others by their departure!
Saturday Night
Saturday night was a miserable, cold, nasty night to be out and it is truly impressive that you were out in all that badness helping your neighbors out. I wanted to get my butt back inside after being out there for just five minutes.
Yes, after 30 years pretty much any roof would need to be replaced. I find it surprising (and by surprising I mean suspicious) that the Dome roof was inspected over the summer and was okay, but was ripping in three places a few months later.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
there is a difference
between new shingles after 30 years and replacing rafters. the dome collapse is more of the latter in that analogy to be perfectly honest.
by Glenn'sYank13 on Dec 12, 2010 8:06 PM CST up reply actions
Exactly:
It’s one thing to have leaky roof from a few tares in the teflon, but it looks to me like the steel structure failed.
Definitely bad ju-ju!
obviously there’s some kind of higher power that will do anything to make sure the Vikings don’t succeed. :)
That type of roof is a terrible idea
BC place in Vancouver opened in 1983 with the same type of roof as the Metrodome. They have had issues with the roof tearing as well, and have decided to replace the roof…at a cost of $458 Million! It might have been cheaper up front to build the Metrodome with that roof, but you are going to pay eventually. Time to start over and build something new.
<a href=“http:// ”http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/05/04/bc-place-roof-deflation.html" target="_blank">http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/05/04/bc-place-roof-deflation.html" target="new">
Kind of what I'm thinking too.
The pictures of the damage to the Dome roof looks quite extensive. And that generally means expensive. You have to wonder how much money anyone will want to put into Dome repairs when the Vikings are angling for a new stadium.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
I could see this just not getting fixed at all.
How many tractor pulls would you need to hold to get it fixed up again?
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
It will get fixed if there is a new stadium deal & a commitment to keeping Vikings. They will need somewhere to play during the couple years the new place is built. But if there isn’t, it won’t be fixed because the Vikings will refuse to sign a new long term contract to play there, so it will accelerate the Vikings departure.
If the Vikings can come up with an acceptable new stadium plan
They could make a short term deal with the U of M and play at TCF until a new stadium is built. If they don’t, they’re gone after this year anyway.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Gardy MOY. Feel great disturbance in Force. As if millions of Internet cranks cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced." -BatGirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Dec 13, 2010 12:09 PM CST up reply actions
Already been alluded to by the Vikings
That if it got approved, and wound up being where the Dome now lay’s in rest is located, they would play in TCF and pay to have temporary bleachers put up to expand capacity there.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 12:12 PM CST up reply actions
I like the idea of a new stadium on the current Dome site.
And, if the Vikings do too, then that certainly leans things in the direction of them playing at TCF while something new is built on the old site.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Yes
Not to mention things like the amount of energy used to keep a roof that size inflated for decades at a time and the labor involved and the inevitable repairs like patches adding to the weight of it, it’s a stupid idea anywhere that gets any sort of snow or ice.
Plus any time it snows, they had to get workers up there to hose down the roof, or it would collapse. This time there was too much wind, and the workers couldn’t stay up there.
by medicineball on Dec 12, 2010 8:01 PM CST up reply actions
The way things turned out...
It’s a good thing they weren’t up there last night.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Just Win Baby
For all the adversity the Vikes have faced this year, this should all be taken in stride. Even though they’re not mathematically eliminated, the odds are long for them to make the playoffs. There are many of us oldtimers thar remember the days of the real home field advantage when the Purple Gang played outdoors at the Met and nobody, I mean NOBODY wanted to play Minnesota in Bloomington after Thanksgiving. To me (and others as well) the team just hasn’t been the same since they moved indoors.
There is one thing the Vikings can do the rest of the way even if they’re not going to the big dance….Just win baby and turn the whole playoff picture upside down for the rest of the NFC. It doesn’t look like they’re going to get much help from other teams (thanks alot Redskins) so they can be spoilers of the highest magnitude to the remaining teams they face starting with the “We’re the rough tough outdoor playing team that loves cold weather Giants.” They’re so tough that they have to argue for a domed stadium because they forgot their long-johns. Wusses. Here’s to running the table and showing the rest of the league how lucky they were that Chilly was running things the first half of the season. Skol!
Yep
Even if the Vikings can’t get into the playoffs, I still want to see them win. Sure beats watching the Vikings lose. Being a wimpy person, I’d much rather watch the Vikings play in 70 degree comfort rather than freezing my butt off outside. However, I can see how an outdoor stadium could provide the Vikings a strategic advantage. Either way, the new stadium conversation went from being about how the Vikings wanted a new stadium to being about how they need one.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
WIMP!!!!!!
Hehehehe. Guess I could take you up a TV tower in the middle of winter on top of a 10,000 foot tower with the wind howling 30MPH? lol
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 12, 2010 8:31 PM CST up reply actions
Very much a wimp!
There’s a fine line between tough and stupid, and I think going up a TV tower in the middle of the winter is definitely flirting with that line.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
LOL
Perhaps, but more then a few friends have wondered as to my sanity. ;-) But, I do invest in alot of winter gear that I always carry around with me when I go out, unlike the Giants. DOH!!
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 7:07 AM CST up reply actions
I'd Say They Do
Just think what might have happened if an event was going on inside at the time of the collapse.
BTW, how much flame does a snowblower create when it catches on fire? Just asking….
Shoot
There was plenty of flame. I probably would have been scared if I wasn’t so surprised. I’m just glad we got it out, the way the roads were the fire department wouldn’t have been able to get to us very soon if we had needed them.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
the ideal stadium
The ideal stadium would have a retractable roof. The field must have excellent surface drainage. The Vikings annonce that they will keep the roof open for the entire game when the kickoff temperature was between 40 and 90 degrees. That way the roof could be open for games involving the elements, including precipitation, but for the freezing to bitterly cold temperatures, the environment would be regulated.
The stadium in Houston has bad drainage, so if they get a little rain, they have to close the roof. That’s something to avoid.
The retractable roof really comes into play for events, such as concerts, that need to be held indoors. That will make the new stadium more viable.
by medicineball on Dec 12, 2010 8:54 PM CST up reply actions
Money is always where the problems lie :)
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Yeah! $1/month is far too much for a Minnesotan to pay.
No, it’s not about money at all.
It’s about desire for a professional football team, vs a desire to play class warfare games.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
So it is the rhetoric rather than the cash holding back the plan?
No doubt there is a lot that goes into any major building project like this, and the more people involved, the more complicated.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Me personally, i'm against a retractable roof.
From what I’ve heard, a retractable roof costs around $200mil. I would rather invest money like that into an extra large jumbo tron like the Dallas Cowboys have.
The roof will be closed from November and on anyway, so why bother….imo :)
I definitely want a roof though. Going topless would mean no SB’s for MPLS.
and we had how many with a roof?
one and why was that ? it was orig. supposed to be in tempe , but since az was last state to reconize mlk day the nfl and players union boycotted tempe and switched it to mlps. so roof or not we wont get a sb on a regular basis. its ok vikes fans since playing at the met we have things like goretex now . have an awning over the fans like dallas did. if the newjersey giants/jets built an outdoor stadium and are guaranteed 1 sb hosting why not us. side note when the redskin bills sb was here remember how f ing cold it was .
by skol viking on Dec 13, 2010 12:59 AM CST up reply actions
I agree
Detroit got it’s token Superbowls, one in the Silverdome, one in Ford Field and I doubt it will be making a return. Any northern climate stadium that’s gotten a superbowl has done so as a token. Big deal!!
I don’t see the folks in Pittsburgh, Chicago or Green Bay whining about not having a Superbowl. I’d rather any new stadium built, be built for the Vikings, regardless of the roof. Target Field did just fine without a roof, and all during it’s construction you heard the naysayers telling us how it will be a disaster. All the games that will be postponed, no one will show up, blah blah blah.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 7:14 AM CST up reply actions
Exactly
Do people seriously expect non-football fans to shell out money for a stadium for one game between two teams that (most likely) aren’t the Vikings anyway? The Met was just fine for football.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Gardy MOY. Feel great disturbance in Force. As if millions of Internet cranks cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced." -BatGirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Dec 13, 2010 12:15 PM CST up reply actions
Very nice article and discussion you have going here -
And Allison is a lovely name (whoever that is) – maybe this is just what we needed to get new stadium discussions going – the dumb Eagles just scored btw – I don’t think this looks like our year but I have a feeling that we’ll be strong next year Not sure why I think that but I do.
"Coach Frazier"
That name inspires confidence in me :)
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
maybe this is a sign
That the vikings should be playing outside, like in the old days.
Maybe
Or, maybe it is just a sign that the elements are out to get us and we should stay inside. I keep saying I’m not going outside again until May. Not likely, but a girl can hope.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Looks like it will take a lot of work to get that roof back up again.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Some duct tape and a few more air compressors to blow it back up.
It’ll be good as new!
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Gardy MOY. Feel great disturbance in Force. As if millions of Internet cranks cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced." -BatGirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Dec 13, 2010 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
I assume they have to clear all of the snow off of the roof before beginning an inspection
That sounds like a major undertaking, and potentially quite dangerous…and then they have to go about figuring out how to patch it. Start clearing the field at TCF Stadium for next Monday
TCF seems like the best solution.
At least the home-town fans would have a chance to see the game. But with TCF closed up for the winter it will take a little while to get it ready for games again. I guess the Vikings talked with the U of M about using it for the game against the Giants, but it wasn’t possible to get the field ready in time. Maybe for the game against the Bears it will be available.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Affirmative
The U said it would take almost a week to cleat the field, stands and light a fire for the stoves. But for Mondays game, if they got the green light within the next few days, the Vikings could have their first home outdoor game since 1981.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 7:17 AM CST up reply actions
Except most of the players are, well indoor players
Can’t see Favre getting excited about playing in 10 degree weather. Of course it would be bad ass to see us playing out doors again.
It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...
Yep, the Vikings are built to be a Dome team.
They’re more about speed.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Not necessarily
Alot of people said that about the Twins, they were an indoor team. Still won the division last season with the 1st outdoors in Target Field. I know, football and baseball are two differant sports. But not every game in winter will be outdoors. Not every game in winter will be in a cold weather climate.
Even if we played outside, in a snow storm like Chicago/N.E. did yesterday, doesnt mean it will be a slow, short run game. How many times did Brady put it out there for a few longs passes that were caught? It’s not so much the speed is only for indoor and dry conditions. It can be just the same outside in the snow and cold. It just takes a little readjustment time for the players to get used to playing in those conditions.
Everyone of the players we have on this team, whether college, trade or F.A. has played outdoors. Just like a bike in a round about way. You never forget, but it does tak e alittle time to reaquint ones self.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 3:36 PM CST up reply actions
Hey guys...
I know there’s been some bad blood between Saints fans and Vikes fans, but I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. I was shocked to see the footage on TV. Thank God this didn’t happen during the game. I assume no one was hurt?
"Now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb."
No one hurt...
But apparently there was one guy in a cart driving for all he was worth to get off the field as the roof came down. Thankfully, all he got was a fright.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
And a change of underwear!
I sure as hell would be needing one I think.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 7:18 AM CST up reply actions
Thanks, very appreciated
Though I think the bad blood has been between a few select groups among both teams. We’ve already had a few loser’s from other teams come in here cracking jokes about L.A. and how this would not happen and blah blah.
Thanks for the well wishes for sure!
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 7:20 AM CST up reply actions
thanks
I do think this is a blessing in disguise though. If we were playing well & looking at making a run this year, this would be an upsetting disaster, but … although we are not mathematically eliminated yet, let’s face it our season is currently on Terry Schivo-level life support. And the team is teetering on the edge of leaving town specifically because of the stadium quality issue. So this event really brings things to a head, instead of letting them linger on. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and videos worth a million. Now every football fan (and non-football fan) in the US — and more importantly, in Minnesota — know that the stadium is inadequate. The state of Minnesota cannot avoid dealing with this issue any longer.
which dome were we happier to see collapse this year?
"the following statement is true:
the preceding statement was false" - george carlin
Well
the Metrodome only screwed us out of one home game
the other dome screwed us out of quite a bit of games
"Baseball is the only major sport that appears backward in a mirror" ~George Carlin
by thewild_viking_twins on Dec 12, 2010 10:13 PM CST up reply actions
Technically its 2 home games.
The Bears game will most likely be played at TCF, but it’s certainly not the same as playing in the Metro Dome.
The Vikings will have the crowd, but the Bears are used to playing outdoors in Dec. I give the advantage to the Bears.
I was thinking the same thing.
The crowd will be nice, but it is hard to get the same noise level playing outside. Between that and having to play outside, I think that the Bears are slightly favored in that match up.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
I will admit that I'll miss the Metrodome
as it is the only place I’ve ever seen a pro sporting event (a Twins game in ‘92), but hopefully it’ll be replaced by a new stadium (in Minnesota of course).
Now that Brad Childress is gone, the BCS needs to follow.
I'll miss the Dome too.
Sure, it was kind of the redheaded step-child of sports arenas, but it was our redheaded step-child. And, I would rather sit in 70 degree comfort than freeze my butt off watching games outside. But that is just me.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Five alternatives
1. Fix the roof. It’s cheaper, faster, and done. Wilf hates it, but that’s okay, because I hate him, too.
2. Build a new outdoor stadium. $400 million dollars, and imagine the fun of sitting there, outdoors, on a day like today.
3. Build a new domed stadium. $500 million dollars, and it’s all artificial…just like the Metrodome!
4. Build a retractable domed stadium. $1 billion dollars. Perfect for football. All you have to do is cut all other government programs.
5. Move the Vikings to LA. Then, it’s California’s problem. We still get to see them on TV, and in winter, what better way to enjoy a vacation in LA than to the Vikings and Lakers beat up their opponents!
Of course, any Minnesota politician that gives half a billion to a billion dollars to an NFL owner during the worst recession since the 1940s is going to have a very short career. Maybe things are different in California. How are their finances doing? Oh, that’s right…worse than ever.
I have to agree
The NFL pleading poverty is absurd. I’d hate to see the Vikings play anywhere but Minnesota. If they move to L.A. I doubt they’ll be called Vikings — probably be called Sand Dollars or something. However, subsidizing the NFL is just a bad idea. At least basketball and baseball bring people in 40 – 80 times year. Football? Just 8.
$$ is a bit off.
Outdoor stadium is about $700+ million to build to NFL standards.
Rectractable roof is the way to go, just get it done.
700+???
dude, the cost is much closer to 1.2 to build a free standing stadium in this economy. Steel prices ire ridiculous. The Vikings will have a new stadium though. one way or another. in MN or LA.
by brettpedigo on Dec 13, 2010 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, I hope this will help the Vikings get a new stadium. I’m a transplanted Packers fan and even though I know many of you hate (many of) us— I love the Packers/Vikings rivalry. Midwesterners in general are the best kinds of fans and thinking of the Vikings moving to California makes me sadder than I can say. Know there are lots of Packers fans who feel the same way. The Vikings belong in Minnesota!!
by DucksBadgersPackers on Dec 13, 2010 2:12 AM CST reply actions
Got to love a good rivalry.
I think rivalries are more important to the fans than the players, but it would still be a gaping hole the football tradition of the upper-midwest to lose the Vikings/Packers rivalry. It is good for business and morale. I hope we can keep it going for many, many years.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
So.
Does your stadium just plain suck?
I’m not heckling or anything, I’m genuinly curious. I think I read this is the 4th collapse in 20 years? Is it more likely that this will push a new stadium forward or hinder it further?
Question: Woody, what happened to the ball movement? Answer: I think our defense was pretty solid tonight. We held them to under 200 points so we did our job on that end.
Yes. Our stadium just plain sucks!
Bad design.
Had poor sight lines for baseball.
A plastic K-Mart blue light special.
Worst luxury boxes ever. (got to go inside one for a Twins game)
Seats are uber uncomfortable.
Deflates too often. (once is too much)
Wrecks our skyline profile because it is ugly. IMHO.
That’s all for now.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
Well
Back in the day, it was considered good. Hasn’t aged well. If anything, only the roof has deemed it a dump. Now, as Odin pointed out, it did suck for baseball. As you and everyone else found out, and mentioned, the roof has been the weak link all these years. As was mentioned above, Only a few stadiums were built with this style roof before everyone realized what a piece of crap it was.
BC Place is completely redoing their roof to a new retractable design to the tune of almost $500 Million. With the damage we have, and I’ve heard some of the cabling might be trashed as well, we might be looking at $100 Mill to get her fixed. Obviously, not worth the effort nor cost.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
I don't understand the sentiment that the place is done for good
It should be clear from prior history that this can be fixed & ready for football again in a few weeks, or months at most. IF the Vikings remain in Minnesota, this is still where the season opener will be played for 2011. Any new stadium will take a few years to build, and they will need someplace to play in interim. The only way they don’t play here is if the new stadium is built on same site.
Of course this all assumes that there is NFL football next year.
Well...
It isn’t so much that the damage to the roof can’t be repaired, rather it is that this collapse happened while the Vikings are trying to get a new stadium. Sure, given enough money and materials they can get the roof back on the Dome, but you better believe this collapse will factory into negotiations for a new facility.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Minnesota's National Humiliation
Listening to Cowboy fans and Redskin fans, and, heck, folks who don’t even like football, laugh at Minnesota for paying price now, for not replacing their 30 year old stadium, has been loads of fun.
The whole country got to watch Minnesota’s dome collapse again and again in slow motion, and become privy to the class-warfare game being played out in Minnesota which is what created this problem. Had they replaced the stadium already, this wouldn’t have happened.
Maybe this will be the kick in the pants needed to wake Minnesota up and get a new stadium in the works as soon as ground can be broken. For less than $1/month, from each taxpaying household in Minnesota, this could be done, AND provide thousands of jobs for Minnesotans in the middle of a recession. It’s time to set aside the class-warfare hatred and do what’s best for the state, for the Vikings, and for the people of Minnesota.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
Maybe this will be the kick in the pants needed to wake Minnesota up and get a new stadium in the works
Exactly. Don’t you get it? In the big picture of things, this may be the best thing that could have happened to the Minnesota Vikings. And the timing could not have been better, both in terms of where stadium issue is, and where election cycle is as well.
We WANT people to laugh at our stadium, it turns up the heat to do something about it. And it will mean the bad press will fall much more on the state’s side than on the team if they leave. Meaning the state is more likely to do something to prevent that.
I have never considered the Metrodome a major league venue.
It has always been an inflatable, mega-sized TV studio in my book. Now it may not be inflatable for awhile. Good riddance Metrodome. May your demise be permanent.
Your fantasy football expert since Jerry Rice's rookie year.
TCF
TCF is probably the way to go for the next home game, but there is no beer sales there (if I remember correctly)
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Dec 13, 2010 9:48 AM CST reply actions
Giants fan here, not too familiar with Minnesota
just curious, how far away is UofM from Minneapolis-St. Paul? And could Target Field host football?
Obviously it doesn’t matter for tonight’s game, but this whole incident fascinates me. I know that they just played a football game at Yankee Stadium (and Citi Field is even bigger than that, so I’d imagine they could fit a game in there, too), so I was wondering why Target Field wasn’t being mentioned as an alternative site for your final home game. I just know that if something like this happened at Giants Stadium and they had the Giants play a game at the Carrier Dome (Syracuse University stadium) a couple of hours north of the city, I’d be pissed since we have baseball stadiums that can be configured to host a football game. If UofM is close to Minneapolis-St. Paul though, it obviously wouldn’t matter much.
2009 Did Not Happen
TCF Field/UofM is a few miles from downtown Minneapolis
As for Target Field, it never was designed for football in mind, so I would have to doubt it could be used. It also has a small foot print if you will. Could not reall tell you for certian on that however. TCF was considered but it had gone into shut down mode and would have needed almost a week to be brought back up to life. We’ll probably be playing the Bears there next Monday.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 11:46 AM CST up reply actions
ah, ok that's not so bad then
I was imagining that UofM was an hour or more outside Minneapolis.
2009 Did Not Happen
Here is a view
with downtown Minneapolis in the background. Very close indeed.
Vikings 2010: Episode 2, A New Hope - The Alliance for Vikings sanity have struck back. The evil Childress has been fired. Hope has been reinstated with the naming of Frazier as Head Coach.
by VikesFaninNM on Dec 13, 2010 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
Lion Fan to Viking Fans
Hope your fans enjoy Giants v Vikings at Ford Field. I can remember when this happened to the Silverdome a number of years back. Viking fans deserve a new stadium. I would hate to see them move like the North Stars.
So for tonight even though I hate the Vikings …….. Go Vikings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks RWG!
The Lions are my #2 team and I appreciate the Lions fans rooting for the Vikes …at least for one night.
"Skol Vikings! Let's win this game Skol Vikings!
Skol Girl
Can’t believe you missed this one…a classic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG-8uZg2uV0
"Skol Vikings! Let's win this game Skol Vikings!
It's not exactly on fire
But how about this SBSP classic
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Gardy MOY. Feel great disturbance in Force. As if millions of Internet cranks cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced." -BatGirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Dec 13, 2010 12:32 PM CST up reply actions
Love Patsy!
Just didn’t think of it in time.
But there are an awful lot of good songs about falling. Pressure Drop was one of the other contenders.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
With Patsy it isn't so much the voice as the way she uses it--like Billie Holiday.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
something about her ..
…for some reason creeps me out.. any time i hear one of her songs in that slightly spooky voice, i think this is prob what they stream in to psychiatric wards when patients get outa hand..
..this is just me..though..
"the following statement is true:
the preceding statement was false" - george carlin
by BranFavrenton on Dec 14, 2010 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
Why is there a baggy on top anyway?
Just cut the stupid thing off and play real football!
this just in!!!!
breaking news! according to this reliable source, zigi wilf was spotted on top of the metrodome late saturday nite w/ a machete
"the following statement is true:
the preceding statement was false" - george carlin
Good choice with Velvet Revolver
But I would have gone with “Falling To Pieces” by Faith No More. :)
Proud contributor to Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota
by Eric J. Thompson on Dec 13, 2010 4:15 PM CST reply actions
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