Dome's roof job about to start

Work will begin next week on installing the Metrodome's new fiberglass roof, now that the Dome's landlords have received the first insurance payment for the collapse of the old roof.

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission said Thursday that it will receive $22.7 million from its insurer, Affiliated FM, to replace the 29-year-old roof ripped open during a Dec. 12 blizzard.

Aside from the $25,000 deductible, that sum should cover the expense of replacing the roof and paying consultants, Commissioner Paul Thatcher said.

The board reported Thursday that it had received the first insurance installment of $10 million. That will enable workers to begin installing the first of 106 panels next Friday. The first 10 diamond-shaped fabric panels are scheduled to arrive the day before.

Commission Chair Ted Mondale said he was confident the job can be finished in time for the Minnesota Vikings' preseason schedule in August.

"We're going to have football here this fall," he said.

Mondale credited the insurer for quickly agreeing on terms. The commission paid an annual premium of nearly $260,000 last year for property insurance.

The work will begin in the center of the roof and spread out from there, Dome engineer Steve Maki said. It shouldn't get in the way of street activity.

"It will all occur within the bowl, so to speak," Maki said.

Also Thursday, the board approved a contract of $277,500 to add acoustical sound panels to the Dome. The winning bidder was Architectural Sales of Minnesota of Minneapolis, which beat out three other Twin Cities firms.

The panels, which will hang vertically from the ceiling, are necessary since an inner liner won't be added to the central area of the new roof. The liner absorbed sound but also interfered with the melting of snow in that area of the roof.

And commission officials decided not to accept the offer of a Georgia turf manufacturer for a new playing field. The company offered the turf for free, but labor costs would have been involved, Executive Director Bill Lester said.