Ted Mondale To Lead Key Minnesota Stadium Panel

ST. PAUL (AP) -- Former state Sen. Ted Mondale will run the commission that operates the Metrodome and may have a role in determining whether and how a new Minnesota Vikings stadium is built.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton on Friday appointed Mondale the chairman of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.

The most pressing issue before the commission is how to fix the Dome's collapsed roof. The roof fell under the weight of snow in December but may take until spring to repair. Also, the Vikings' Metrodome lease expires after the coming season.

Mondale is the son of former vice president Walter Mondale and was chairman of a regional planning council under then-Gov. Jesse Ventura.

Mondale last ran for office in 1998, when he finished fifth in a Democratic gubernatorial primary that also included Dayton.