RCA Dome demolition schedule in question
The RCA Dome hosted its last event two weeks ago, but it could be several more months before the Dome comes down. While demolition was initially expected to start as early as April, it needs the go-ahead from the Indianapolis Colts, who need to be sure the new Lucas Oil Stadium is ready for play before the Dome is demolished.
"We have to sign off on it and no date has been proposed. Right now we're assuming in August when the new stadium opens [for demolition to start]," said Pete Ward, Senior Executive Vice President for the team said.
The Stadium Authority has repeatedly said the stadium will open August 15th, with some of the finishing work to continue for several months. Indications are it won't open a day earlier.
Drum Corps International, which hoped to host its world championships at Lucas Oil starting August 7th, was told to go to "Plan B" and hold the competition in Bloomington instead.
A spokesman for the Stadium Authority said the board hopes to provide a timeline on demolition and other information at its meeting Monday. Officials with the Indianapolis Visitors and Convention Association are among those awaiting word.
That's because the expansion of the convention center can't start until demolition of the dome is underway and tourism officials can't book events there until they know when it will open. Right now completion is scheduled for fall of 2010.
"We don't have a lot on the books in the fall of 2010 because it's a precarious situation for both sides," said Bob Bedell, President of the ICVA.
In fact, Performance Racing Industry, which outgrew the convention center and left for Orlando four years ago, also left open the possibility of returning to Indianapolis in 2010. A spokesman told Eyewitness News it will now stay in Orlando for at least another year.
The Colts and the Stadium Authority, meantime, are planning events to celebrate the opening of the stadium and the end of the dome. But "when" remains up in the air.
"It depends on when it's safe to enterm, but hopefully the grand opening will be before the first game," said Ward.
The pre-season opener at Lucas Oil is August 24th.
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