Published: September 13, 2006 The Superdome is A Symbol of The Rebirth of South Louisiana
The Superdome restoration is unprecedented; never in the history of stadiums in the USA has a facility been so heavily damaged and rebuilt in one year.
The Superdome will be "football-ready" Sept. 25; final finishes and completion in July, 2007.
Taking advantage of the construction time for the repairs, we were able to include significant upgrades, providing a more modern and enjoyable experience at the Superdome.
Gov. Kathleen Blanco issued an executive order in Dec. 2005 to make the Superdome a priority, enabling the rebuilding to be fast-tracked.
The LSED (Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District) refinanced $195 million in outstanding debt to generate $40 million in capital funding for the project.
Oct. 2005-Mar. 2006 REMEDIATION AND RECOVERY
Mar. 1-Sept. 25, 2006 CONSTRUCTION PHASE 1: "FOOTBALL READY"
Sept. 2006-Aug. 2007 CONSTRUCTION PHASE 2
Stadium Managers/Project Leaders: SMG
Superdome Commission: Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District, Tim Coulon, Chairman
Architects: Trahan Architects, Baton Rouge; Sizeler Architects, New Orleans; Billes Archtecture, New Orleans; Consultants: Ellerbe Becket, Kansas City
Construction Manager: Broadmoor LLC of Metairie, LA
Total Subcontractors: 35; 30 local
Total Workers: 1,000 (most at one time 850 at peak in June and July)
Improvements
In addition to repairs, the following improvements are being made while the building is under construction:
New video board-scoreboard-message board system
Complete remodeling of 38 permanent concessions stands and all 3 kitchens
Upgrading 8,000 Club Level sideline seats and 4,000 Box Suite seats
Fully remodeled 137 suites (in progress) and 4 Club Lounges (in design)
Renovations
440,000 sq. ft. (9.7 acres) of roof fully replaced
10,463 pieces of steel decking on roof
500,000 gallons of polyurethane foam sprayed on roof
20,000 gallons (five coats) of urethane outer coating on roof, total 46 mil thick
750,000 sq. ft. of sheetrock (45% of total in building) replaced
800,000 sq. ft. of ceiling tile (80% of the total) replaced
60,000 sq. ft. of artificial turf (100% of total) replaced
1.6 million sq. ft. of carpeting (95% of total in building) removed
500,000 gallons of epoxy flooring in ramps and concourses
58,000 seats cleaned; 10,000 damaged seats replaced (total is 72,000 in building including 4,000 new Club Level sideline seats).
3.8 million gallons of water extracted from the dome and its garages.
4,000 tons of trash & debris removed, including damaged furniture & equipment
Financing
$185 million total for repairs and improvements including a $15 million grant from the National Football League.
For More Information, Contact: Bill Curl, Superdome Public Relations, 504-587-3921, bill.curl@superdome.com , www.superdome.com
Superdome Quick Facts
Opened- August 1975
Reopening- Sept. 25, 2006, New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
Last event prior to Hurricane Katrina- Aug. 26, 2005, New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens (preseason game)
Superdome Superlatives
World record for an indoor concert-87,500 for the Rolling Stones in 1981
Six Super Bowls including Super Bowl XII (1978), XV (1981), XX (1986), XXIV (1990), XXXI (1997), and XXXVI (2002)
Four NCAA Basketball Final Fours (1982,1987,1993,2003)
NCAA Basketball Division I Regionals (1981,1990,1999,2001)
Home of Major Sports Events
New Orleans Saints (NFL Football)
Tulane University (NCAA Division I, Conference USA Football)
Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic (NCAA Division I Football)
Bayou Classic (Southern U. vs. Grambling State Football)
New Orleans Bowl (NCAA Division I Football)
State Farm Superdome Classic (State High School Football Championships)
Annual Superdome Events
Endymion Extravaganza Mardi Gras Parade and Party
Essence Music Festival
Sportsmen's Show, Home and Garden Show, Auto Show, Boat Show and Bike Expo
U.S. Hot Rod Assn. Grand Slam Motor Jam
Times Picayune Christmas Doll & Toy Fund Distribution
Sugar Bowl Mardi Gras Marathon
Superdome Statistics
Maximum seating capacity- football 69,703, expanded football 72,003, arena concerts 20,000, baseball 55,675, basketball 64,959
Total land area- 52 acres (building, garages, and grounds) Height- 273 feet (82.3 meters); diameter of Dome- 680 feet (210 meters)
Area of roof - 9.7 acres; 440,000 sq. ft.
Main arena floor- 166,180 sq. feet
Air conditioning- 9,000 tons
Convention/meeting rooms- 4 main ballrooms, each divisible into 6 separate rooms, 28 reception rooms
Artificial turf- Momentum by SportExe, 60,000 sq. ft.
alan@newsblaze.com
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