Woodbury’s Bielenberg Dome Goes Back Up Due to Snow

Monday was supposed to be the first and last time the Bielenberg Sports Center's dome was deflated.

But it will probably happen again Thursday.

After Woodbury held a “bubble bursting” ceremony Monday evening, snow started coming down, so the dome went back up that night.

Having water in top of the canvas and on the turf at the sports center would have slowed the project, said Dave Black, manager at the BSC.

Had the air and heat not been turned on again “we would have had a disaster on our hands. … And by disaster I mean three more weeks of waiting,” Black said.

It was a “maintenance decision” to re-inflate the dome, he said.

The dome was taken down as the city prepares for a $21.8 million expansion project.

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It was still up as of Wednesday afternoon, and would likely be deflated again Thursday morning, Black said.

The project, however, hasn’t been slowed by the turn of events.

“They did next week’s work today and yesterday,” Black said.

He said it was a “great call” to inflate the dome.

But will there be another dome-deflation ceremony?

“You’ll have to ask Mayor Mary about that,” Black said.

He said staff would probably throw the switch themselves Thursday rather than calling Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens out to do the honors, Black said.

Crews Tuesday and Wednesday were taking up the turf inside the dome, and the canvas will likely be removed next week, Black said. Demolition of the lobby will also probably take place next week.

One resident who often walks at the dome came by this week, Black said.

“He had to touch the fabric because he thought he was dreaming,” he said.

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