Also heard this on The NFL network this afternoon. essentially this stadium isn't equipped to use the heating coils the nfl mandates. This is a player safety issue, as the frozen ground makes it almost like getting tackled on concrete. In this day and age of 'concussion-minded safety', I can't see how they could justify playing on this surface, over using another NFL stadium (or one that has heating coils elsewhere-- no clue of the possibilities)
Vikings still on hold with TCF Bank Stadium
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By Eric Edholm
The Vikings have not confirmed where they are playing on Monday against the Bears, but they say they are working towards making it as close to a home game as possible.
Currently, the Vikings are listing the site of the contest as "to be determined" in their weekly release for Monday's game.
What we do know is that the game will not be held at the Mall of America Field at the Metrodome, whose roof caved in under the weight of excessive snow from last week's storm. The Week 14 game against the Giants was moved to Detroit's Ford Field and postponed for a day, a game the Vikings lost 21-3.
The team issued a statement to update the situation:
"At this time, NFL officials are touring TCF Bank Stadium to ensure its safety for our fans and its ability to meet the primary technical requirements for an NFL game. Ultimately the decision to re-locate a game is the league's in consultation with the two teams. The NFL supports the plan to play Monday night's game at TCF Bank Stadium but is currently ensuring viability of this plan.
"At the same time, the Vikings and the University of Minnesota are diligently working through all of the issues associated with moving a game such as tickets, parking, and operations. The organization is working to accommodate our fans' questions, and we will continue to inform them on this fluid situation as soon as more information is available."
Right now, the biggest issues are that the stadium was not built with heating coils below the surface of the field, like many NFL outdoor stadiums do. The early weather projections for Monday call for high temperatures in the teens with a low of three degrees. Snow is expected to fall — between three and six inches — between now and gametime.
The Vikings are putting out a call for volunteers to help shovel snow from the stadium Thursday through Sunday but might have trouble finding enough people to help clear the venue, which currently is buried from last week's storm still.
Another issue is alcohol sales and the fact that the college facility is not equipped to sell beer. The Vikings potentially would lose major revenue if no alcohol was sold at the stadium.
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