Construction on U's TCF Bank Stadium moving along

The first shipment of steel to be used in construction of the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium has arrived on campus and the first pieces were put into place.

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: January 28, 2008 - 11:58 PM

The first shipment of steel to be used in construction of the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium has arrived on campus and the first pieces were put into place Monday.

The steel will be used to build the frame of the $288.5 million stadium, including the upper bowl, suites and press box structures in addition to supporting the scoreboard. From now until late July, the stadium will receive the steel in 10 to 15 daily shipments.

The frame is scheduled to be completed by late August with construction of the brick and cast portion of the stadium to begin in the fall. Construction of the stadium at Oak Street and University Avenue SE. is set to be done by February 2009.

The open-air horseshoe facility, which will be the new home for the Gopher football team, will have a capacity of 50,000 with the potential to expand to accommodate 72,000 to 80,000 seats, University of Minnesota officials said.

The Gophers' first home game in the TCF Bank Stadium is scheduled for Sept. 12, 2009.

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