Vikings play at TCF Bank Stadium in December 2010

The Vikings construction on their new stadium next to the Metrodome is likely to begin sometime in 2013.  But what will they do when construction interrupts games at the Metrodome?

On Friday, the Board of Regents gave the okay to the University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler to proceed with a non-binding letter of intent to the Vikings in order for them to lease TCF Bank Stadium on campus, according to the Star Tribune.

Details of the lease still need to be hashed out between the two parties, but as host to the Vikings, the University will likely make an estimated $3 million per season the Vikings play at TCF Bank Stadium.

The Vikings played a game at University of Minnesota in December 2010 after the Metrodome roof collapsed.  The Vikings played the Bears and Favre was knocked out of the game when he was thrown to the frozen field, which essentially ended Favre’s season and career.

In order to avoid a frozen ground during the winter months, the Vikings will pay to “winterize” the stadium by purchasing heating coils to be placed under the field.

Another modification to the college-sized stadium will be the addition of an estimated “3,200 temporary bleacher-style seats in the western end-zone plaza.”

The issue of alcohol sales will be figured out separately.  Currently, the stadium does not sell alcohol.

The Vikings wish to “sell hard liquor in the club seating, boxes, and suites and beer and wine throughout the stadium,” according to Mark Rotenberg, U General Counsel.  However, he “is not willing to promise what the University of Minnesota would do in the area of consumption and sale (of alcohol).”

The Vikings goal is to play at the University of Minnesota for “one season for sure,” said Vikings owner Mark Wilf.

The Vikings will likely be able to stay at the Metrodome during construction until around 2015, which would be a year before opening of the new stadium.  During the four-year agreement with the University, TCF Bank “would be available for only Sunday games and one weeknight game per season.”

Credit: Andy Langager

TIME revealed their “Top 10 Worst Stadiums in the U.S.” and guess who came in at number one…You guessed it, the Minnesota Vikings owns Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome!  Perfect timing to announce a new stadium deal, wouldn’t you say?

From TIME.com:

The ailing, collapse-prone Metrodome in Minneapolis is long overdue for a replacement, and recent action by the Minnesota legislature could soon make that a reality. But before it’s gone, TIME takes a look at the worst sports arenas in the country.

1. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis

You might not think that public money should be used to build a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings. But there’s little doubt the Metrodome has seen better days. The stadium first opened in 1982, as a state-of-the-art facility that would keep the Twins and Vikings out of the cold. After staid domes fell out of favor, the Twins left for fresh air back after the 2009 season; they now play at Target Field. Football is a more acceptable indoor sport. But not at the Metrodome, especially after the roof collapsed under a snowstorm in 2010.

I think it’s safe to say it was time for the state to act, and today they properly did it… THE VIKINGS ARE GETTING A NEW STADIUM!!