NASL Minnesota United FC

Minnesota Stars Release Statement on the Future of NSC Stadium Beer Garden

Published on September 27, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


BLAINE, Minn. (Sept. 27, 2011) - The Minnesota Stars released a statement Tuesday afternoon about the future of the beer garden at NSC Stadium. Deconstruction began Monday on the three-tiered deck at the north end of the stadium as the National Sports Center began preparations for possible future expansion.

With the possibility of an October 8 home playoff game looming, the Stars acknowledged the unfortunate timing of the new project, which eliminates one of the most energetic sections of the stadium at a critical time, but the club is optimistic that a replacement solution will be reached before the start of the 2012 North American Soccer League season. Citing a pending zoning meeting, the National Sports Center was unable to elaborate on its plans.

"We want to be clear with our fans that we had no say in the timing of this project or the decision to remove the beer garden altogether," Stars CEO Djorn Buchholz said. "We're disappointed and surprised that the beer garden had to come down now as opposed to at the end of the season, and we're working with the National Sports Center on a temporary way to emulate that atmosphere should the Stars qualify for the league semifinals and host a playoff game."

If the Stars win at FC Tampa Bay this Saturday in the opening round of the NASL playoffs, the team would host the first leg of the semifinals on October 8 against the Carolina RailHawks. To accommodate fans who usually watch from the beer garden, as well as those who purchase beer during the game, the team would set up bleacher sections, tents and picnic tables next to where the beer garden stood.

Buchholz noted that the original beer garden, built prior to the Minnesota Thunder's 2009 season, was designated and intended as a temporary structure, and that the need to either take it down or invest heavily in upkeep was inevitable. The club, he said, is hopeful that potential expansion at the NSC can be the catalyst for an improved beer garden.

"We are working closely with the National Sports Center to make sure that what's built in place of the original beer garden is as good or better and is a permanent structure that can add to the atmosphere at NSC Stadium in the years to come."

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