Why Is Part Of The Houston Astrodome Roof Covered

The astrodome also had five different restaurants located throughout the stadium.
Why is part of the houston astrodome roof covered. The roof is the most significant of the astrodome s engineering breakthroughs. A former minority owner of the houston astros vivian l. The style of roof had previously been used on domes that spanned 285 feet but the astrodome roof is more than 640 feet across. It was thought a covered stadium was a must for a major league team to be viable in houston due to the area s subtropical climate and hot summers.
The first fully enclosed sports stadium and first air conditioned event venue of its size seated over 70 000 fans with enough space to include an indoor chapel and bowling alley. The houston oilers nfl and the university of houston. The ballpark is houston s first retractable roofed stadium and features a natural grass playing field. The astrodome debuted in 1965 as the first of its kind.
Not only was the astrodome home to the houston astros but to two football teams. Original dimensions at the astrodome were 340 ft. The houston astros lined up along the first base line before the start of the last season opener to be played in the astrodome against the chicago cubs on april 6 1999. Houston the astrodome is making a comeback and could be open for business again by 2020 after harris county commissioners unanimously approved a 105 million revitalization plan on tuesday.
The harris county domed stadium was the first fully integrated public sports and entertainment venue in houston. Roy hofheinz a former mayor of houston and his group were granted the franchise after they promised to build a covered stadium. It was thought a covered stadium was a must for a major league team to be viable in houston due to the area s subtropical climate and hot summers. Wild and free created in celebration of the rodeo s 60th anniversary in 1992 edd hayes wild and free portrays the spirit of freedom through three mares two colts and a stallion.
Bob smith were an important part of the development of the astrodome complex. Photo by ryan holeywell. The astrodome s iconic roof provides a dramatic silhouette. The ballpark was built as a replacement for.
It was last used in 2009 and five years later it was added to the national register of historic places. Roy hofheinz a former mayor of houston and his group were granted the franchise after they promised to build a covered stadium. Minute maid park previously named the ballpark at union station enron field and astros field is a ballpark in downtown houston texas united states which opened in 2000 as the home stadium of the houston astros of major league baseball mlb.