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University of Minnesota Athletics
Governor Signs Gopher Stadium Bill
5/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
"The U is one of Minnesota's most important assets," Pawlenty said. "The new on-campus stadium will bring visibility and excitement that will benefit the U, our state and our citizens."
The celebration at the McNamara Alumni Center was attended by many of Minnesota's leading political leaders, including Sen. Majority Leader Dean Johnson and House Speaker Steve Sviggum, and the authors of the historic legislation, Sen. Larry Pogemiller (DFL-Mpls), Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina) and Rep. Ron Abrams (R-Minnetonka). Legendary coach Murray Warmath, who led the team to several Big Ten championships, also attended.
The bill signing came days after the House and Senate passed a bill May 20 that secures funding for a $248 million on-campus stadium. The bill passed by a 96 -37 vote in the House and a 43-24 vote in the Senate. The University hopes to begin construction of the stadium this summer and finish in time for the 2009 season.
The stadium was the highest profile item of several pieces of legislation approved by the Legislature that benefit the University, including $115.7 million in funding for construction and renovation of several systemwide facilities, $5 million in funding for the University of Minnesota-Rochester and designation of the U-created Honeycrisp apple as the official state fruit. A few hours earlier on Wednesday in Bayport, the governor signed that bill into law.
In a session at times dominated by stadium debate, the stadium legislation for the Gophers was the first to pass, hours before a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins was also approved. It marked the end to a years-long search for the best solution to the stadium issue for the University, whose lease to play in the Metrodome expires in 2011.
"For years, we have been the only Big 10 school without an on-campus football stadium," said University President Robert Bruininks. "This new facility will have a huge positive impact on our football program, recruiting and all of our athletic programs."
The measure calls for the state to pay $10.25 million per year for 25 years--approximately 55 percent of the total stadium cost. As part of the legislation, the University will exchange 2,840 acres of undeveloped land in Dakota County with the state for future use as a metropolitan area nature preserve. The bill includes a naming-rights deal with TCF Financial Corp.; in exchange for $35 million the stadium will be named TCF Bank Stadium.
The University will also raise private funds and implement a student fee--up to a maximum of $25 per year--to pay for the rest of the stadium's costs.
"From the beginning, our plan has been hugely reliant upon private fundraising," said Bruininks. "Passing the legislature and being signed by the governor gives us enormous momentum to raise the dollars necessary to get this thing built. It's an exciting time at the U."
The Legislature also funded several other University requests and gave its official stamp of approval on University research that has benefited Minnesota consumers and apple growers.
