EAGAN, Minn. —The Vikings organization began a new era in Eagan Monday morning, officially moving into Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Warren addressed the staff collectively under the soaring roof of the indoor practice facility.
"I know there are a lot of emotions here for us today, and just seeing all of you here in this building and seeing the dream fulfilled, I know for myself, my family, for ownership, for leadership, it's truly a humbling day," Wilf said. "This is an incredible facility, and we're proud of that, but this building is nothing without all of you, your hard work, your dedication and your professionalism.
"We are moving into a new house today. … We're going to make this house into an incredible and special home for generations to come," Wilf added.
Wilf thanked the leadership team of Warren, Don Becker, Steve Poppen, Steve LaCroix and Lester Bagley, as well as General Manager Rick Spielman and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski, before giving special credit to Jim Cima, Grant Till and Jenny Haag for the immersive roles they played in the design and construction of Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
"You guys did an amazing job," Wilf said. "This is just the beginning, and we're here to have a winning franchise, to have a franchise that is second-to-none in the world."
Vikings employees finished moving out of Winter Park, the former headquarters that opened in Eden Prairie in 1981, late last week.
During the move, Warren said he ran across notes from a meeting in fall 2004 before the Wilf family purchased the team.
Five specific and measurable goals were laid out.
"The first thing was to build a world-class franchise, and the way you do that, you have to have world-class people," Warren said. "I couldn't be more proud or more humbled to be standing in front of world-class people. We've done that. We can check that box.
"The [second] thing we said was it's important to build the best stadium in the world, and we have done that with U.S. Bank Stadium," Warren added.
After that, the next goals were for Minnesota to host a Super Bowl and to build a "world-class practice facility."
"Not looking down on Winter Park, because it really served its purpose," Warren said. "We have some incredible memories, but I can tell you, I've been fortunate enough to travel around the world and study these practice facilities, and this is the best practice facility in the world, not just the NFL.
"The last thing they said was we need to win the Lombardi Trophy," Warren continued. "I know I probably make Mark nervous when I say we're going to win multiple Super Bowls together, and he says, 'Let's win the first one.' "
Employees unpacked and set up desk areas, and took a few moments to explore, almost as if they were on an architectural tour. Spaces have been created with an emphasis on bringing in natural light and fostering collaboration. Hallways, including the "Super Highway" that is south of the indoor practice facility and office spaces feature, Vikings Ring of Honor members, Hall of Famers and other historic moments to honor the past.
"Enjoy this moment, be humbled by it, let's all know how blessed and privileged we are to be here with each other, together in this special place," Wilf said. "May it be a blessing for many, many years to come for all of you, all of your families and all of us as a Viking family, SKOL!"
