It might be tough to land a new football stadium, but at least the old one is getting new scoreboards.

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission on Thursday hired a South Dakota-based manufacturer to replace two 23-year-old auxiliary scoreboards in the Metrodome with LED-display boards.

The commission approved a $276,000 contract with Daktronics to provide and install the scoreboards. They could be moved and used in the new Vikings stadium being considered at the Legislature.

The scoreboards provide game information on the faces of the Dome's upper deck, on each side of the arena. They measure 4 feet by 51 feet and shouldn't be confused with the large video displays located near the roof.

Daktronics, the only bidder on the project and the supplier of the original scoreboards, is the market leader for large video screens in professional and college stadiums.

The malfunctioning scoreboards couldn't be fixed because the company no longer stocks spare parts for them. It will salvage parts from the Dome's old boards to use if needed on the remaining boards that still work.

Work will begin in June and be finished by Aug. 1, in time for the Vikings' preseason games. Funds to pay for the scoreboards are available in the commission's budget.

Sports Facilities Commission chairman Ted Mondale had little to say at the meeting about the bumpy ride that the stadium bill is getting at the State Capitol.

When he came to "Chair's Report" on the meeting agenda, Mondale said: "Read the paper today ... We didn't have a great night the other night, but we're trying to revive the patient. Stay tuned."

Kevin Duchschere • 612-673-4455