Vikings, U of M Agree on Stadium Upgrade Package

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Vikings and the University of Minnesota have agreed on more than $6.6 million worth of enhancements to TCF Bank Stadium for NFL game use, including a new heating system for the playing surface.

Increased storage space, concession upgrades in the concourses, additional heating in the stadium and temporary bleacher seats to increase capacity are also part of the package.

The Vikings will share the facility with the Gophers in 2014 and 2015, and the Vikings will pay the university up to $3 million per season to play there. The upgrades were already included in the original $975 million budget for the new stadium being built downtown.

Vikings officials presented the modifications to university Board of Regents Thursday. Construction work is scheduled to begin next month.