ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Vikings have been given an ultimatum of sorts in their quest for a new stadium.

Gov. Mark Dayton and a key lawmaker said Tuesday that the team must build on the site of the Metrodome — its least-favorite option — or state funding help for the multimillion-dollar project won’t happen this year.

Minnesota’s 2012 legislative session began Tuesday, one expected to be dominated by the team’s stadium drive. But the issue came to a head more quickly than expected as Dayton confirmed that he had informed Vikings owner Zygi Wilf that a new stadium has to be built at the current site of the Metrodome in order to secure any kind of state funding from lawmakers this year.

“I’ve made it clear it’s my belief that in this session, the only viable option is the Metrodome site,” the Democratic governor said.

“I do believe that’s where it’s going to be,” added Republican state Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, the chief stadium bill sponsor.