That decision came Thursday from the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which runs the longtime Minneapolis home of the Minnesota Vikings. The vote came after engineers recommended replacement instead of repairs.
Several panels ripped under the weight of the snow last December. Engineers said replacing the 10-acre roof is the only way to guard against another collapse.
Commission officials have estimated that replacement could take as long as six months, meaning preseason games in mid-August might need to be moved. The panel said repairs should be finished by Aug. 1.
The Vikings played two home games elsewhere last season, including one outdoors at the University of Minnesota.
