MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings are getting ready for a frigid night of football after officials said Tuesday that the Metrodome's torn roof won't be ready for Monday night's matchup against the Chicago Bears, forcing the game to move to University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.

The Vikings will have to play Monday night's game against the Bears at the University of Minnesota's outdoor TCF Bank Stadium. AP Photo/Jim Mone

Inspectors found that damage from the weekend snowstorm that dumped more than 17 inches in Minneapolis and busted through the Metrodome's Teflon roof was worse than initially thought, according to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.

Officials decided the roof couldn't be repaired in six days, but could not immediately estimate how long the process would take. Commission president Roy Terwilliger said they hoped to know more in two to three days.

"Our first priority is the safety and well-being of the Vikings fans and players, the hundreds of youth sports, community and other groups that use the Metrodome throughout the year and our employees," he said.

The Vikings immediately turned their "full attention to the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium," the team said in a statement. Vice president for public affairs Lester Bagley told The Associated Press that the NFL has agreed to allow the game to be played at the roofless Gophers' football stadium, but still needs to inspect the facility before the change of venue becomes official.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

Workers at the university, meanwhile, began the daunting task of clearing tons of freshly fallen snow from inside the stadium, which opened in 2009 and never has hosted a pro football game.