Speculation a few years ago that the Vikings might be on their last hurrah at Mankato training camp has turned into a quiet, more likely probability.

The Vikings have been quiet about the possibility. The team continues to say they love coming to Mankato and using Minnesota State University’s facilities for training camp. The university and the Vikings have a three-year contract that runs through 2018, but it has an opt-out clause that can be exercised each year.

There is also an option for a fourth year of camp in the contract that covers 2016, 2017 and 2018. But the contract was signed last August and the Vikings may not have been completely sure of the timeline for the new facility, hence the fourth year option.

Vikings Training Camp has been a boon to Mankato for 51 years. The loss of the camp, if and when it comes, will hurt local tourism and the food and entertainment industry. Visit Mankato estimates the two weeks of training camp bring about $5 million to $6 million to Mankato.

The Vikings’ new facility in Eagan will be ready in 2018. It will feature five outdoor practice fields, one with artificial turf; an outdoor 6,000 seat stadium; and an indoor practice field big enough for punters and kickers.

While we’re sure MSU and local leaders will do everything possible to keep the Vikings here longer, the community should transition to a new summer tourism business plan, just as the Vikings are changing their training camp business model.

The region has a history of thinking ahead and planning for the future. Summer events like Ribfest and Blues on Belgrade have taken hold in the last few years. Vetter Stone Amphitheater draws bigger and better acts every summer.

Other areas have been successful with music festivals like the Basilica Block Party Music Festival in Minneapolis and entertainment events like the Minnesota Fringe Festival. There’s no reason Mankato can’t think like a big city in those terms.

Smaller cities like Willmar and Somerset, Wisconsin, have been successful with the Sonshine Christian music festival. Spokane, Washington, with about 200,000 population, has for years hosted the world’s largest Hoopfest tournament, where 27,000, 3-on-3 pickup basketball teams converge on the city every June.

Mankato planners, movers and shakers should be considering our next move. The Vikings will be missed, but like them, Mankato must look for the next opportunity to improve our game.

 

— Mankato Free Press, Aug. 6