TCF Stadium: The One Place Where Turf and Gophers Get Along!

All eye's are on the preparation of Monday's NFL game between the Vikings and Bears at TCF Stadium, home of the University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers. While there's lots of concern with when play will return to the Metrodome, due to this, and the logistics of TCF hosting this game, here at Turfhugger we are going straight to the environmental aspects of this location, and as you'll see there's a lot going on at TCF Stadium.

As of September 9th 2009, the TCF Bank Stadium was the first LEED certified collegiate or professional football facility in the US.  LEED Certification of TCF Bank Stadium was based on a number of green design and construction features, including:

• A 50 percent reduction in the use of potable water for landscape irrigation. 
• A storm water management system that allows rain water to be captured into a comprehensive underground filtering system outside the stadium, where it is harvested, filtered and drained into the Mississippi River. 
• Steel for the stadium is 90 percent recycled and was fabricated primarily in Minneapolis. 
• A reflective roof to reduce heat island effect. 
• Paint, carpet, sealants and adhesives that are low in volatile organic compounds, which can aggravate health problems. 
• 98 percent of the construction waste from the site was recycled. 
• A 30 percent reduction in indoor potable water use.

Located on the East Bank of the Twin Cities campus, the 50,805-seat TCF Bank Stadium is the home for Golden Gopher Football and the University of Minnesota Marching Band.

"TCF Bank Stadium is an historic project for the university and it was important to us to do it right," said Univeristy of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks. "This designation, in particular, underscores the commitment of the Board of Regents and the leadership of the university to principles of sustainability, energy conservation and responsible stewardship of our environment and our resources."

“The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on nonsustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The work of innovative building projects such as TCF Bank Stadium is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement.”

By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

"There's no better experience than seeing 50,000 Gopher fans coming back to campus to celebrate Minnesota football, and to be able to do that in a stadium that's respectful of the environment was paramount for us from day one," said Scott Radecic, senior principal of Populous.

“Mortenson is honored to work with an outstanding team to build the first football stadium, collegiate or professional, to become LEED certified,” said Ken Sorensen, vice president and general manager of Mortenson’s Minneapolis office. “This is a meaningful testament to the university’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility within our community.”


For more info go to UofMinnesota