Sid Hartman: Vikings, commission examine reusing Dome

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission took a big step Thursday to help the Vikings when they unanimously approved issuing proposals for the hiring of architects and construction management to carry out the "schematic design" phase of a multi-purpose, retractable-roof facility on the Metrodome site.

According to Bill Lester -- executive director of the MSFC, which manages the Metrodome -- the dome could be used when and if a new stadium is built on the site. The commission has one report from architectural firm Ellerbe Becket on reusing a portion of the Metrodome.

The plan is to have some designs and cost figures to present to the 2009 Legislature on whether some of the Metrodome can be used in the building of a new stadium. No doubt the Wilf family would, at the same time, present plans for what they wish to build near the stadium on land they own now or would buy.

Certainly a reconstructed Metrodome would cost less than the $954 million that had been talked about for a new stadium. Lester said the successful bidders are scheduled to be selected at the Aug. 21 meeting of the MSFC.

The Vikings and the MSFC will share equally the cost of the architect and the construction manager.

"While there is no overall financing mechanism in place, this effort will potentially save costs of a final facility by doing the work now," Lester said. "We are still anticipating opening the reconstructed facility in 2012.

"The objective [of the action by the MSFC] is to provide as much information as possible for policy makers. The overall objective is to keep the Vikings in Minnesota, not only through the current contract of 2011 but for the next 30 years."

"One: We appreciate the sports commission looking at every option," Bagley said. "We need to provide the best information, to the policy makers and the public, to determine the best course for a solution for the stadium issue.

"Number two: This proposal is thoughtful and impressive, and reconstruction of the Metrodome, from what we saw today, that's a viable option. That's what Ellerbe Beckett showed.

"What they showed is a viable option in terms of the design and the construction. Where we have questions is on the cost, both on the construction cost as well as the ability to generate revenue from a reconstructed Metrodome. So we need further study on that, but the design is a viable option. But we need to take a closer look at the cost."

The plan to keep part of the Metrodome should get a more favorable reaction from the public than the tearing down of a much-used building that cost only $55 million to build.

The commission is also is going to make any effort to increase the Vikings' revenue by allowing the NFL team to add additional signage on the outside of the stadium. However, this can't be accomplished unless the city of Minneapolis makes a change in the existing code.

Reeves and Tinsley have told Gophers coaches they will be on hand when practice starts Aug. 2.

The Gophers did lose one player in Scooba East (Miss.) Community College defensive tackle Tim McGee, but all of the others who signed tenders will be on hand and eligible unless they don't pass the NCAA Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse checks grades and such of recruits and can rule a player ineligible.

Jottings It was a well-deserved honor for Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to be introduced at the All-Star Game in Yankee Stadium, a ballpark he helped make even more famous than it was before he bought the team.

More than 95 percent of Gophers football season ticket holders have renewed, according to Jason LaFrenz, director of marketing and ticket sales. The Gophers also have sold more than 2,000 new season tickets. The public season sale is at 27,500, with 10,000 students expected to buy tickets.

Scout.com reports that Paul Carter, the 6-8 forward from Missouri State-West Plains Community College who signed a tender to attend Minnesota, is doing well in summer school, according to his coach, Brian Osterman, and definitely will be eligible for the Gophers this fall.

There was a time when not many college coaches recruited Minnesota basketball players. But at the recent Twin Cities Summer Classic, in addition to Gophers coach Tubby Smith, were Rick Majerus of St. Louis University, Matt Doherty of SMU and several others.

Craig Dahl, who resigned as the St. Cloud State hockey coach in 2005, has been promoted to Regional Managing Director for the Principal Financial Group in upstate New York. He now lives in Rochester, N.Y.

Former Gophers shortstop Dan Lyons, after hitting .285 with five home runs and 38 RBI in 76 games with the Hagerstown (Md.) Suns, the Washington Nationals' Class A farm team, has been promoted to the high Class A Potomac (Va.) Nationals, where he has hit .370 in 16 games.