Updated: 09/15/2009 10:51 AM KSTP.com | Print |  Email

New Stadium Draws Complaints Over Noise, Long Lines

While the Gopher's new home, the TCF Bank Stadium, generally received rave reviews after game one, there were some kinks that need to be worked out.

The complaints were focused on long lines and noise.

Sophomore Brian Conroy said, "The student line had hundreds of people waiting. I waited over an hour. I got in five minutes before kickoff and there were still hundreds of people outside."

To fix that, the gates will open 30 minutes earlier - two hours before gametime - this Saturday, according to athletic director Joel Maturi.

In a radio interview Tuesday he said the "U" will add a couple more gates and a couple more express lines for people who aren't carrying bags that have to be searched.

Maturi also said officials will see what they can do about redirecting loudspeakers.

After game one, there were complaints from people who live in St. Paul's St. Anthony neighborhood.

Ron Default who lives in the area said he could hear the band playing the rouser from more than a mile away.

Default said, "It is just a matter of time until they get it toned down. Obviously they don't need it quite that loud. I did hear it was loud in the stadium so maybe it was necessary."

The noise carried so far, the public address announcer could be heard at St. Paul's Midway Stadium and at the State Fairgrounds, more than three miles away from the TCF Bank Stadium.

Otherwise, game one went smoothly. University police said the crowds, although large, were mostly well behaved. A small number of alcohol-related citations were issued.

Traffic rolled along. Even so, police will spend this week looking to see if traffic flows can be improved.

The "U" is also thinking about adding buses to bring people in from the St. Paul parking areas.