Birdair To Inspect Dome Damage

Crews are planning to inspect the Metrodome in Minneapolis after its fabric roof collapsed in a storm that dropped 17 inches of snow on the Twin Cities.

Officials with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission expect to learn Monday afternoon how long it will take to get the Metrodome open for business.

The original manufacturer and roof installer, Birdair Inc. of Amherst, N.Y., is scheduled to inspect the damage and devise a plan to fix the roof, which collapsed early Sunday.

The weight tore three holes in the dome’s Teflon roof and dumped a huge pile of snow on the Minnesota Vikings’ playing field.

Commission chairman Roy Terwilliger says it’s the fourth roof collapse since the stadium opened nearly 30 years ago, all caused by heavy snow.