'U' Confident TCF Snow Will Be Gone By Friday
By Holly Wagner, WCCO-TV, Bill Hudson, WCCO-TV and Edgar Linares, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- The University of Minnesota asked for help cleaning out snow from the TCF Bank Stadium -- and got more than they needed.
The university sent out a release late Thursday morning saying the response to their request for volunteers was "overwhelming," and that they no longer needed, nor were they accepting, any more shovelers for the rest of the day.
They said they will still accept volunteers for Friday.
Workers are trying to get the stadium into shape so that it can serve as the venue for next week's Vikings game against the Chicago Bears. The Metrodome remains out of commission after another round of snow tore multiple holes in the fabric of the ceiling.
Hundreds arrived at the stadium early Thursday morning, shovels in hand. But a number were not let in because it seemed, according to some on the scene, the university didn't have anything for them to do.
Some said it appeared the people who were let in to work were the ones who had either worked yesterday or had gone through a temp agency.
The university had promised an hourly compensation of about $9 to $10 to help remove the snow from seating areas, concourses and the playing field.
Some people who waited in line say the process was slow and disorganized and they were frustrated with the way it was handled.
Security employees handling the crowd, screamed into a megaphone "get back." People in the crowd responded by cursing, shouting and banging on the stadium doors.
"It's rather disorganized," said John Blissenbach, who was still standing outside waiting to shovel hours after arriving. "It's disheartening that they weren't more organized because they're just creating a mob scene right now. ... I'm an experienced shoveler. I've got 50 years of experience."
Some were turned away because they didn't have two forms of ID while others decided it wasn't worth the wait.
Steve Benkler, who is out of work and will begin classes next spring, said he came to help and to earn a few extra bucks.
"This helps me buy my girl flowers for her birthday," said Benkler. "I was just sitting around the house. I was a little bored."
"This is actually finals week so you probably won't see a lot of students out here. But it'll be a good time," said student Nick Karp, who showed up with his sister Emily.
"I was actually up late studying for finals. But it will be nice to have some extra money for Christmas," said Emily Karp.
Meanwhile, the NFL said it is moving forward with plans to play Monday night's Vikings-Bears game at the University of Minnesota despite concerns about the site.
TCF Bank Stadium wasn't built to host a game this late in the year. That means potential problems with everything from frozen water pipes to a frozen field that could be unsafe for players. It's smaller than the Metrodome, too, and some ticket holders will be left out.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday that the preferred plan is to keep the game in Minnesota. Colts owner Robert Irsay said on Twitter he'd be happy to host the game in Indianapolis if needed.
The University of Minnesota says it will rely on a tarp over heating coils to warm the TCF Bank Stadium field ahead of Monday night's game.
Several players have said they're concerned about injury if the field is frozen. University officials had talked of using chemicals to soften the field, but worried it would harm the turf.
Both NFL and Vikings officials say they're confident the field will be fine.
School officials say they've moved 25,000 cubic yards of snow and expect to have it all gone by Friday morning.
WCCO-TV's Bill Hudson Reports
(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
