Metrodome Stadium

Also known as "The Dome," the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome is a multi-purpose sports facility located in downtown Minneapolis , Minnesota . The venue houses two of Minnesota 's pro sports teams, the Twins of MLB and the Vikings of NFL, the University of Minnesota Gophers football team. The Minnesota Golden Gophers baseball team, for the first half of season plays at the Dome and in the second half at Siebert Field. The Dome is a domed sports stadium and the only indoor facility big enough to host motocross events, monster-truck rallies and the occasional Rolling Stones-size rock tour. From 1989-1990, the Dome housed Minnesota Timberwolves, a NBA team and in 1984 Minnesota Strikers of NASL soccer. It is a domed sports stadium, which makes it an only indoor facility and big enough to host motocross events, monster-truck rallies and the occasional Rolling Stones-size rock tour. The Do0me hosted 1985 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 1987 and the 1991 World Series, Super Bowl XXVI in 1992, and the 2001 NCAA Final Four and scores of other events such as International Special Olympics, Cultural Festivals, Charitable Fundraisers, High School Athletic Competitions, Amateur Baseball and Football, Religious Events, Small College Athletic Competitions, Birthday Parties, Trade Shows, Weddings, Police Canine Training, Fire-Fighting Recruitment Tests, Rodeos, Model Airplane Fly-Offs, Motorsports, and Inline skating and running.

Built on 20 acres of land at a cost of approximately $68 million, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome is a significant paradigm of metro and statewide interests. Construction on the Metrodome began on December 20, 1979 . The funds for the construction were raised by the state of Minnesota . Inaugurated on April 3, 1982 , the stadium brought great pride and joy for being the third domed facility in baseball and the only air-supported structure among the 28 in use. The stadium has an interior volume of 60 million cubic feet and is covered by 10 acres of Teflon coated fiberglass 1/32" thick. It is 195 feet (16 stories) from the highest point of the interior ceiling to the playing field. The dome is air-inflated and requires 250,000 ft³/min (120 m³/s) of air to keep it inflated. The fans enter the park through the revolving doors that avert the release of the air that keeps the dome straight and inflated. On three occasions the heavy blizzards have caused a small puncture in the roof causing it to deflate. Called "the Big Blue Baggy" and "Hefty Bag" by players, the Metrodome has 7,600 retractable seats in rightfield when the pattern of the stadium is converted from baseball to football use.

The white roof at times makes it difficult to see the ball when hit high in the air. Truly a power-hitter's park, Metrodome was matted with Sport Turf when constructed, but was resurfaced with Astroturf in 1987. The Sport Turf caused the ball to bounce very high off the carpet. In 2004, the surface was given a new look with the putting up of newer artificial surface, called FieldTurf, which looks like natural grass. The curve of the wall behind the home plate causes wild pitches and lets the passed balls bounce directly toward first base. From November through April, the upper and lower concourses of the Metrodome are converted into the Rollerblade Rollerdome, annually hosting upwards of 50,000 inline skaters.

The stadium's seating capacity was raised to 45,423, after adding 900 seats prior to the 1994 season by moving both dugouts closer to the field and adding three rows closer to field level. Some sections in the right field corner were also added to increase the capacity for baseball. After the 1995 season, a Plaza was added along Kirby Puckett Place on the west side of the Metrodome, which serves as a gathering spot for Twins fans before each home game. The pitcher's mound is power-driven and can be raised and lowered at the push of a button. The Metrodome is the only public stadium in the country that does not rely on a continuous tax for its financial backing. The stadium has 64,000 seats and 115 suites. The seating capacity for baseball is 48,000, for football 64,000; for basketball 50,000. Major rock and pop performers such as Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Guns N' Roses, Faith No More, Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and The Grateful Dead have attracted millions of people to Metrodome. The Dome is named after former mayor of Minneapolis , US Senator and US Vice President, Hubert H. Humphrey. He was Minnesota 's most beloved public figures, who was an ardent lover of sports and committed his life to the people of Minnesota .