The design of the new Minnesota Vikings Football stadium is reportedly not safe for migrating bird populations, and the Audubon Society is urging the team to spend some of the project’s budget on protecting the birds.
The design of the new Minnesota Vikings Football stadium is reportedly not safe for migrating bird populations, and the Audubon Society is urging the team to spend some of the project’s budget on protecting the animals.
Although it’s not scheduled to open until 2016, the stadium has already been the subject of criticism from environmentalists who say that the large glass walls would be a deadly hazard for thousands of birds.
The Audubon Society has started a letter writing campaign in an effort to get the windows of the stadium changed to a more expensive, special kind of glass that would help prevent birds from flying into the building.
They want the stadium to meet state guidelines for bird safe glass, but because the design was approved before that legislation passed, it is not subject to those building requirements.
Vikings spokesman Jeff Anderson is quoted saying: “Stadium construction costs continue to rise, and unfortunately, the budget does not include the additional cost required by the Audubon Society’s recommended glass.”
The team has consulted with the Audubon Society about turning the lights of the stadium off at night to protect birds, but they are refusing to change the windows.
