2014 brought the Vikings a new head coach in Mike Zimmer, who has already led the team to two NFC North Division Titles and one NFC Championship Game. 2016 brought them a new home at U.S. Bank Stadium to replace the Metrodome. Now the team continues its facelift with a new practice facility and headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota.
The Vikings former facility in Winter Park has served the team for the past 35 years, but like the Metrodome, its time has passed. The new facility 15 miles east in Eagan has nearly double the size. Opening in two stages, the new facility is state of the art. In fact, chief operating officer Kevin Warren claims “it’s the best training facility in the world.”
The new facility, which required a 20-truck move, sits on a 40-acre campus. Taking nearly 18 months to complete, it has an indoor field house, 5,000 square feet larger than the old facility. It is 33-feet taller, allowing for full kicking and punting practices. It also boasts four practice fields and a stadium, which seats 6,500. Local colleges and high school will also have access to the practice fields. The stadium, plaza and Vikings Hall of Fame will open just ahead of training camp.
The new campus should also prove to be an asset for Rick Spielman and Coach Mike Zimmer when recruiting free agents. As players around the league take every aspect of conditioning more and more seriously, a facility catering to that can only be beneficial.
– Barret Lang writes for Full Press Coverage and covers the Vikings. Follow him @VikesSportsNow and follow @FPC_Vikings.
