a fixed roof stadium made of a translucent material could allow for light to pass through. add to that heat under the field, extra lighting, and irrigation, and maybe, just maybe, grass could grow inside.

technology is amazing today.

I don't care how advanced turf gets, it still doesn't beat real grass.

I like jimcrist's window on the roof idea. It would make it greener (allow real grass to grow) and 'greener' (a roof without the need for as much lighting.) Some stores, like the WalMart where my mom works, are already doing this.

Did you just propose building the Minneapolis Municipal Both Kinds Of Football Stadium in Qatar?

I think you did.

Football teams generally *prefer* turf to real grass AFAIK. I would be surprised if there are any plans for real grass. The closest thing I would imagine is some very basic consideration of laying sod over the turf for certain events.

Anyone disagree and want to set me straight on the first point?

Grass would be great. Odds are slim. But that's something we can push for. Communicate it to your legislators and maybe we can help influence the decision making process!

I'm guessing this would be the turf we get.

So there has been some more updates on the stadium and MLS.

-- The new stadium would have a fixed roof, with an option to go retractable "without any increase to the funding provided by state or city." That would seem to suggest that if the Vikings want a retractable roof, they'd have to pay for it.

-- The Vikings have exclusive rights to bring Major League Soccer to the new stadium within five years of its opening, and the team could play there without paying additional rent. "The team intends to actively evaluate pursuing an MLS franchise," the term sheet says.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/blogs/141066343.html

Was just going to post that news about the option to go retractable. Would most likely still be turf but I wouldn't complain if we have a MLS team in the next few years.

This is all good news for getting a team.

If the stadium is approved we must keep Zygi's feet to the fire. Lobbying as a group at Vikings events etc...

All a big IF for the stadium.

DARK CLOUDS UNITE.

Here's the text of a letter I am sending along:

Hi there

My name is [NAME] and I live in [LOCATION]. I love the Twin Cities and could never live anywhere else.

The only thing I may love as much as the Twin Cities, is soccer. I believe strongly in the sport, and what it can do financially and culturally for our State. Soccer is often referred to as the world’s game, and I believe our state has a place in it.

For this reason I strongly encourage you to ensure that any new stadium development in Minnesota is designed to accommodate FIFA regulation soccer. FIFA is the governing body of world soccer, and creates the standards that all professional leagues adheres to.

It is important the design accommodates for a FIFA regulation field because the dimensions are slightly larger than existing NFL fields. Though the difference is negligible for football, it’s paramount for the potential of soccer here.

The difference should also matter to Minnesotans. Soccer is the most lucrative sport in the world, and represents an industry many times larger than the NFL. Major League Soccer (MLS) is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and has already surpassed the NBA, and NHL to become the third most attended sport in the US. Soccer is also the most played sport in America, and is only growing.

Major league soccer is growing too, and the Twin Cities’ diverse population and large youth base make it an excellent market for expansion of the league.

In addition to MLS, having a large-scale soccer-capable stadium introduces the possibility of World Cup, Olympic, and other major soccer events. Which means relatively minor changes to stadium design can represent millions of dollars in additional revenue for the state of Minnesota.

American football plays only 8 home games during regular season use. MLS soccer would provide at least 18 additional home games without even accounting for the massive economic boost of hosting World Cup, Olympic, International Friendly, and finals matches.

The last time we had a top tier soccer team in Minnesota we averaged 30,000 attendees per game. And since then the sport has only grown in the United States. Soccer makes sense for Minnesota. Support a true multi use stadium in Minnesota; ensure it can support FIFA regulation soccer.

Thank you.



I encourage anyone interested to do the same, use this letter or draft your own!