Vikings' Metrodome roof collapses for the fifth time
That’s right, the 28-year old Metrodome stadium, home of the Vikings and Twins, has seen its roof collapse five times.
The first collapse of the Teflon and fiberglass fabric dome roof at the Metrodome occurred in November 1981, after 10 inches of heavy snow fell. That was before the new stadium offictally opened in April of 1982.
The next collapse of the 340-ton bubble came just a year later in December 1982, a few days before the last football game of the 1982 season.
Following the third collapse in April 1983 postponing another baseball game.
The fourth collapse was partial and only caused a delayed game.
What does it sound like when the dome collapses? Apparently like the sky is actually falling. The roofs rips and the air blasts out of the opening while the dome falls toward the stands. Apparently, if you time your visits right, you get to watch the Vikings or Twins and take a thrill ride for the same ticket price!
This time, the stadium was empty and no one was injured. But the collapse was captured on video.
So how do they prevent the Metrodome roof from collapsing under the snow load? When snowfall is heavy and falling fast, crews take to the roof to push the snow off. Sounds like a sensible approach and five times in 28 years?
Maybe not such a bad record, but how do you feel about domed stadiums?
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