Second Collapse At Dome Halts Repairs To Roof
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Thanks to a new tear in the roof of the Metrodome, it could be a while before there is any progress being made toward repairing it. A fourth panel of the roof caved in Wednesday night. Now officials have called off all work being done at the Dome because of safety reasons.
That second collapse has many people wondering if the Dome can even be fixed. It's too dangerous to be on the field underneath the huge pillows of snow and ice just overhead.
The questions now: How to remove the snow and ice? How to repair the huge tears? How much it will cost?
The latest panel collapse at the Dome dumped huge amounts of snow, ice and water on to the artificial playing surface near the south end zone.
Moments later, repair crews were ordered off the field for safety reasons. And now, all the work to fix the massive roof is on hold -- indefinitely.
"Rest assured that we are totally and utterly committed to getting back in the race as soon as safely possible," said Bill Lester with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
A total of four roof sections of the Dome came crashing down under the weight of the historic snowfall.
Safety straps are now in place suspending the remaining Teflon sections to keep them from collapsing.
"We will need to clear those panels that are heavily loaded at this point. The ones that we suspect that could potentially rupture," said Steve Maki with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
The image of a deflated Metrodome is now among the most searched items on national websites and newscasts.
And Minnesota's governor-elect Mark Dayton will take office in the middle of a turbulent debate over the need for a new Vikings stadium.
But Dayton said a stadium bill won't take precedence over jobs.
"I defer to the experts. I'm guessing they will say you can re-inflate it, repair it, and it still would be a functional facility in its present form. This didn't happen except under unusual circumstances," said Dayton.
The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission has approved emergency spending of $1.5 million toward roof repair. Commission members said replacing the Dome could cost $12 to $15 million.
WCCO-TV's Pat Kessler Reports
