National Football League

As end nears for Metrodome, it's a deflating day

Published Jan. 18, 2014 1:17 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

-The roof came crashing down on the Minnesota Vikings' season some time about late September. Their 31-year-old stadium followed suit on Saturday morning.

Officials from the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority opened vents that slowly brought down the Teflon-coated and snow-covered fiberglass roof.

The Metrodome's roof deflated in little more than half an hour as the next step toward demolishing the Minneapolis structure and making way for a new $1 billion stadium. Excavation has already begun on the adjacent parcel of land.

Four previous roof deflations over the years were a result of weather conditions, including the Dec. 11, 2010, incident during which snow streamed onto the field through a gaping hole.

Fabric from the Metrodome roof will be recycled for future construction projects, the Star-Tribune reported. Inside, the turf and most of the seats have already been removed.

The Vikings will play the next two seasons at the University of Minnesota's stadium.

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League