Spring is here which means that the Minnesota Stadium construction site is busier than ever

MSFA Chair, Michele Kelm-Helgen visits Fargo/Moorhead talks iconic stadium

Michele Kelm-Helgen, chairwoman for the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), traveled to the Fargo-Moorhead area in early May to speak at Kegs & Issues, sponsored by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. Kelm-Helgen highlighted to the crowd that the plans for the new stadium go beyond the Vikings. Referring to the stadium as iconic, the MSFA chairwoman also made sure to include that there is not going to be another building like this in the country or in the world.

Kelm-Helgen also emphasized how the New Minnesota Stadium will provide many opportunities beyond Vikings games for all Minnesotans. It will be a true economic asset for the entire state.

MSFA and Minnesota Vikings work with InterClad to usher in a new experience for football fans

The MSFA and Minnesota Vikings have teamed up with Owatonna based InterClad, a subsidiary of the Brooklyn Park-based Egan Company, to provide an experience that will allow football fans to wear Vikings jerseys comfortably late into the season all the while having views of the Minneapolis skyline from the new Minnesota Stadium.

The duality is possible because of a bold new design from architecture firm HKS, executed by lead contractor Mortenson and subcontractors like InterClad, which is manufacturing the curtain wall system of aluminum frames and glass. The system will form part of the buildings skin and will allow light but not too much heat in, as well as shield fans from Minnesotas harshest elements winter, stiff winds and precipitation.

The new Minnesota Stadium is the largest construction project in state history and one of the most challenging in InterClads history due to the geometry. It tests us from a design and production standpointIts fun working with new materials, said Jim Malecha, president and CEO of Egan Company.

Minnesota submits bid to host College Football Playoff National Championship

In additional news, MSFA confirmed that the College Football Playoff bid was submitted today. In May, Governor Mark Dayton announced that Minneapolis was set to submit a bid for the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship. With the stadium poised to open its doors in 2016, its schedule is already filling up.

At the announcement Gov. Dayton expressed his optimism on Minnesotas ability to make a competitive bid. We bid for these super-sensational events to tout the virtues of living in Minneapoliseven in January, the Governor said.

The bid committee will be led by a coalition of local business and community leaders. Chris Policinksi, CEO of Land O Lakes, and Scot Housh, CEO of Willis of Minnesota will lead the bid effort as co-chairs. The following individuals will serve as honorary co-chairs:

? Randall McDaniel, pro football Hall of Famer, former Minnesota Vikings player and current school teacher

? Erika Binger, chair of the McKnight Foundation Board of Directors and former triathlete

? Jerry Kill, head football coach of the University of Minnesota