Timely Dome re-roofing earns bonus

Updated: August 2, 2011 - 2:29 AM

The roof contractor earned the bonus for getting the Metrodome's new top in place by Monday's deadline.

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Workers completed the Metrodome roof inflation on July 13th.

Photo: Richard Sennott, Star Tribune

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Monday's monsoon-like weather made Bill Lester happy, he said, "to have a roof over my head."

That roof -- the Metrodome's new $18 million fiberglass lid -- was judged to be finished Monday, apparently earning New York-based Birdair Inc. a $500,000 bonus for meeting the Aug. 1 completion date set down in its contract to install the roof.

Lester, executive director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which owns and operates the Dome, said the commission is reviewing Birdair's work but doesn't anticipate any problems.

"As of now, the roof is up and they met the completion requirement," he said.

The commission decided last winter to replace the roof after it was torn open by a blizzard. The new roof is made of Teflon-coated fiberglass like the old one but it stands up to wind better, Lester said.

The project took 16 weeks from start to inflation and cost $22.7 million, mostly covered by insurance. Officials also expect insurance to pay for the new $477,000 turf, which is being installed this month. It replaces the year-old Sportexe carpet that sustained water damage after the roof was ripped open.

KEVIN DUCHSCHERE