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Dome Stabilized, Uncertainty On When It Will Open

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The roof of the Metrodome is now stable, after another panel gave way under the weight of snow and ice. The question of when the dome will be ready for events is still up in the air, however.

Roy Terwilliger, with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities commission, said they will patch the four panels that were damaged in the blizzard and then heat up the facility. Once that happens, they will inspect it to make sure it is safe.

Terwillger said there could be some delay if they find more panels are damaged. He says they do have some stock piled at other locations, but if more are in need of repair, and they have to go to the manufacturer, it could take longer to open.

Terwillger said so far, they have not cancelled any January events, such as Twins Fest, but says they have to wait for the inspection to be sure.

The roof of the dome went up in 1979 and was to only last 20 years. Terwillger said they had it inspected just last summer and found it to be in good condition. He said to replace the whole thing would be costly.

"You have to consider what would occur as far as what are the policy makers going to be deciding as far as where we go from here, as far as the future" he said

Terwillger said while it looks bad, until the inspection is done, they won't know what they are up against.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Susie Jones Reports

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