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Nov 29, 2009 9:54 pm US/Central
Grassroots Group Hopes To 'Save The Vikes'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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Cory Merrifield and his business partner Brian Ashbaugh are busy trying to convince tailgaters to support their movement to Save the Vikes from moving to another city.
CBS
The Metrodome proved magical for the Vikings again, but how long will the Vikes call the dome home?
A grassroots effort is underway to try to keep the Vikings in Minnesota.
"So basically what we are trying to come out an get public support and educate people on the current need," said Save the Vikes organizer Cory Merrifield.
From one tailgate party to the next.
Merrifield and his business partner Brian Ashbaugh are busy trying to convince tailgaters to support their movement.
"We really want people to do is track down their legislator which they can do by going to SaveTheVikes.org and clicking on huddle up and they can find the contact information for their state leaders and e-mail them. Let them know how important it is to the culture of Minnesota, to the economy, to the state of Minnesota and the Vikings fans that the Minnesota Vikings stay here," Merrifield said.
It was a chance to discuss the stadium issues with real Vikings fans and everyone had their opinion.
"We need more leg room, we need more seats, we need more openness," said one fan.
Others think the dome could work with a few modifications.
"I think the dome is fine. I think they need to go in and revamp it. Give us two years in TCF, we'll fill it no problem, " said another fan.
Merrifield said there are lots of ideas out there that could raise the money necessary to build a stadium.
He said taxes on fast food, rental cars and hotel rooms could help.
"I think it's going to be really difficult to get any momentum behind that," said Josh Journey-Heinz.
Inside Bob's Java Hut in Uptown the conversation was a little different.
"I think a lot of people in Minnesota are usually pretty reluctant to put their tax dollars behind a very wealthy man's dream, " Journey-Heinz said.
He said he's not sure state money should be used to keep the Vikings here.
"I think there is a better way to get it done," he said.
He hopes there is a way to compromise that will not put the financial burden solely on the taxpayer.
Save the Vikes will hold a fan rally at the State Capitol from 2 until 6 p.m.
on Thursday.
Merrifield said he hopes to have several lawmakers there to listen to the concerns of fans and hopefully start a conversation that could lead to a new stadium -- and the Vikings staying here in Minnesota.
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