Americana: Whoosh Goes the Big Top

Minneapolis named its new $55 million stadium after a delightfully long-winded favorite son. So it was no small irony that the roof of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome collapsed for lack of hot air. Two months ago, the stadium’s ten-acre nylon cover was inflated with electric fans. Then a heavy snow came unexpectedly early: a hot-air melting system was not yet in full operation. The fabric big top sagged under the weight of the slush, then tore, and finally drooped to within 60 ft. of the field. It took four days to repair the 30-ft. rip.

Minneapolis fans have long grumbled about the Metrodome’s downtown location, meager parking space and the unusual development incentives used to get it built. On seeing snowmelt puddles in the outfield, one joker suggested renaming the arena Aquadome. Said Minneapolis Star Sportswriter Scott Papillon: “The Minnesota Twins won’t even have to ship players back to the minors. They can just station them in left field and let them drift out to sea.”