Why Is Part Of The Houston Astrodome Roof Covered

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.

Why is part of the houston astrodome roof covered.

It was last used in 2009 and five years later it was added to the national register of historic places. The ballpark was built as a replacement for. Not only was the astrodome home to the houston astros but to two football teams. The houston oilers nfl and the university of houston.

Bob smith were an important part of the development of the astrodome complex. Smith and her husband r e. The ballpark is houston s first retractable roofed stadium and features a natural grass playing field. The style of roof had previously been used on domes that spanned 285 feet but the astrodome roof is more than 640 feet across.

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. A former minority owner of the houston astros vivian l. 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. Roy hofheinz a former mayor of houston and his group were granted the franchise after they promised to build a covered stadium.

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. The roof is the most significant of the astrodome s engineering breakthroughs. The harris county domed stadium was the first fully integrated public sports and entertainment venue in houston.

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. Roy hofheinz a former mayor of houston and his group were granted the franchise after they promised to build a covered stadium. The astrodome debuted in 1965 as the first of its kind. Astrodome the world s first domed air conditioned indoor stadium built in houston texas in 1965 and arguably the city s most important architectural structure.

The astrodome s iconic roof provides a dramatic silhouette. 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. Photo by ryan holeywell.