The Vikings will "announce a surprise addition to the plaza outside the team's new stadium" today -- a stylized ship that will "showcase the personalized pavers purchased by fans and nod to the state's Nordic heritage," according to a front-page piece by Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The ship, "similar to the one outside the team's Winter Park headquarters, will rest in front of the five pivoting glass doors of U.S. Bank Stadium that face downtown Minneapolis." A 2,000-square-foot video board will "serve as the ship's 55-foot-high sail." The video board also "will show clips from live games inside the stadium."
What happens with the board on the other 350-some days a year "has yet
to be determined." The bow will "be a 43-foot-high dragon's head with Vikings horns and purple eyes that light up." Vikings VP/Partnerships Activation & Special Projects Tanya Dreesen said, "We have this amazing three-acre plaza that we wanted to bring to life with something fans would be drawn to." Dreesen said that the ship "will be privately paid for." Olson notes fans will be able to "walk aboard the ship, which will have seating, stainless-steel railings and 150 feet of historical displays." Designed by RipBang Studios, a California-based division of the Minneapolis design firm Nelson, the ship "will incorporate stainless steel, stone, concrete and wood." Trees will "surround the ship, which will also have theatrical lighting, sound and smoke effects." The team has "sold about 6,000 of the pavers and has room for twice as many" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/19).
