Minnesota United FC will not be moving into a planned soccer training facility at the Bielenberg Sports Center in Woodbury after all.
The club backed out of an agreement made in the fall of 2013 for reasons club president Nick Rogers would not specify. The team invested $975,000 toward the projected $1.4 million construction cost for the 7,500-square foot facility.
"This was not financial performance-related," Rogers said, declining to disclose if the club turned a profit this season. He said the club's bid for a Major League Soccer franchise was "not much" of a factor.
In September 2013, United announced the training facility as part of a $21.8 million expansion of the Bielenberg Sports Center. United planned to move its training from the National Sports Center in Blaine to Woodbury in March of 2014. The decision to back out was made in November, Rogers said.
The club said it will try to recoup some of its investment through a marketing agreement and potential scrimmages and clinics at the facility.
DAVID LA VAQUE
St. Olaf take first alone
St. Olaf, ranked No. 21 in the d3hoops.com poll, took over sole possession of first place in the MIAC men's basketball standings with a 79-60 victory over the visiting Augsburg.
Ben Figini was 9-of-11 from the field and scored 21 points to lead the Oles (12-1, 7-1 MIAC), who moved ahead of No. 3-ranked St. Thomas (11-1, 6-1), which was idle.
