RCA Dome

RCA Dome (originally Hoosier Dome) was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons (1984–2007).

It was completed at a cost of $77.5 million, as part of the Indiana Convention Center, with the costs split between private and public money.

It was demolished in December 2008, as part of a project to expand the attached convention center.

Description

The roof was made up of teflon-coated fiberglass and weighed 257 tons, which was held up by the air pressure inside the building.

The ceiling was high, though the height varied up to five feet as the materials expanded and contracted with the weather.

As was the case with other domes of this style (the Metrodome, BC Place, the Carrier Dome, and the Pontiac Silverdome) there were warning signs posted cautioning patrons of the high winds at the doors when exiting.

History

It was similar in design and appearance to the Metrodome and the previous BC Place roof, owing in great part to the involvement of engineers David Geiger and Walter Bird, pioneers in air-supported roofs.

The stadium was originally named the Hoosier Dome until 1994 when RCA paid $10 million for the naming rights for 10 years, with two five-year options to RCA at a cost of $3.5 million if invoked. The stadium seated 56,127 for football; the smallest in the NFL, but was also one of the loudest. Modifications were made to the stadium in 2001 to expand the suites and add...
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