Metrodome Aftermath

Crews are inspecting the damage at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis after the inflatable roof caved in Dec. 12 after a powerful storm dumped 17 inches of snow on the city. No one was injured.

The NFL Minnesota Vikings’ game against the New York Giants was played the next night at Detroit’s Ford Field.

Officials with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which owns and operates the arena, are working with reps from original roof manufacturer Birdair to determine how long it might take to get the venue back in business.

The Teflon-coated fiberglass roof has reportedly collapsed four times in about 30 years because of heavy snow but not since 1983, when a MLB Minnesota Twins game had to be postponed.

MSFC Commission Chairman Roy Terwilliger said the recent collapse is the worst of all but he’s hopeful the roof can be repaired before the Vikings next home game against the Chicago Bears Dec. 20.

However, another option would be to move the home games to the 58, 500-capacity University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium.

The roof collapse coincides with ongoing talks between the city and Vikings officials about building a new stadium, estimated to cost $700 million.

Team officials have reportedly offered to pay one-third of the project’s cost but haven’t been able to secure state legislature backing to use public funds to cover the balance.