Thread: Vikings owner, Wilf, to visit Willmar on Monday

[size=18px]Vikings owner, Wilf, to visit Willmar on Monday[/size]

Linda Vanderwerf West Central Tribune
Published Thursday, April 27, 2006

WILLMAR — Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf will be in Willmar Monday afternoon to discuss his plans to develop the area around a proposed new Vikings stadium.

Wilf will be at the Holiday Inn Conference Center from 4:30 to 6 p.m. to discuss his $1 billion plan for the Northern Lights project, a sports, retail and entertainment center to be built along with a Vikings stadium in Anoka County.

Wilf will also share his vision of hosting a Super Bowl, a Final Four, concerts and special events at the stadium, as well as his plans for a 1 million square foot retail complex, according to a release from the office of Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar.

Wilf recently visited the Iron Range, and when Johnson asked him one day if he’d consider coming to Willmar, he said, “Of course,” Johnson said Wednesday evening.

“He likes to go to civic groups,” Johnson said.

“He’s making the rounds, and he’s going where he’s invited,” Johnson said.

“He wants to tell his story and let the public and the Legislature decide. … We can learn from someone like Zygi.”

Johnson said he expects the Vikings stadium to be discussed in the Senate this week and next, along with the Twins stadium proposal that passed the Minnesota House on Wednesday.

Nothing is certain for the stadium proposals at this point, Johnson said, but he hopes to see a Gophers stadium bill approved by the Senate next week, and a combined Twins and Vikings bill debated by the end of next week.

“I’m not an adamant opponent or the biggest cheerleader,” Johnson said, but as majority leader his job is to try to manage the process. Wilf’s visit “won’t sway my vote one way or another,” Johnson added.

The event is free and open to the public. However, tickets must be reserved in advance and will be required for admission.

For tickets, contact the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 320-235-0300.

Vikings owner, Wilf, to visit Willmar on Monday

That's where my parents live, actually Dean Johnson lives next door to them, small world. Wilf is really getting the round in pluggin' the stadium. His persistence will pay off.

"Prophet" wrote:

That's where my parents live, actually Dean Johnson lives next door to them, small world. Wilf is really getting the round in pluggin' the stadium. His persistence will pay off.

Isn't this the 2nd time he's visiting Willmar? What's up with that.