MANKATO, Minn. (KMSP) -
On Tuesday, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf got a close-up look at his team for the first time during training camp, and he says he expects they'll be competing for a division crown while he gets his off-field team lined up to build a new stadium for the players.
Fans at the outdoor fields say they'd like to see a lot more fresh air at Vikings games in the future, and that's why many of them are hoping that the new stadium will come with a retractable roof and more space for tailgating.
"It's beautiful here in Minnesota. Open the top, let the sun shine in -- and when the snow falls, close it," Adrian Peterson suggested. "Retractable will work perfect for me. Perfect."
Ultimately, it'll be up to Wilf whether or not the stadium gets a retractable roof, but he assured fans, "We're going to try our best."
"The plans will evolve over the next year," he said. "We're shooting for opening the stadium in 2016."
Wilf told FOX 9 News they are just now hiring consultants, and the designs are still in their infancy. For now, Wilf says he is putting his full focus on the team instead of the field they'll be playing on.
"Looking back on the past few months, it was a burden than I thought because I feel very relieved," he said. "For generations to come, our fans in Minnesota will enjoy Vikings football here."
There is no official timeline for groundbreaking, but concrete plans are expected within the next year.
