Hononegah Dome Will Not Be Re-Inflated

ROCKTON – Plans for the Hononegah Athletic Dome have changed.As a result of the high cost of the planned Spot Repair and Temporary Inflation, as well as the past few months of weather-related damage to the fabric and cabling, the Dome will not be temporarily inflated to recover the contents.

Summary of

relevantfacts to date

The cause of the Dome collapse has been determined to be weather-related due to the ice storm on Dec.28, 2015.

At first evaluation after the date of the Dome collapse, the condition of the fabric appeared as though it would support a patching and re-inflation.

The re-inflation bid process resulted in only one bid.During the bidding and request for proposal process, adverse weather conditions in the form of snow, ice, and high winds made temporary inflation improbable according to the contractors.

With the change in the condition of the dome fabric and cable structure, the adjustment team scheduled a joint inspection.A forensic architect was immediately assigned to inspect the Dome and conveyed that the fabric could no longer be re-inflated.

Next steps

A completion of structural and mechanical evaluation will take place during a process wherein a contractor will open the seams of the Dome in order to recover the contents.

A contractor will work with construction consultants to determine the methods for protecting the flooring during the District’s determination of a replacement structure.

When the deconstruction of the Dome is scheduled to occur, administration will inform the community of the timetable.

Additional information

District administration continues to work with various community organizations who utilized the Dome in order to locate alternative spaces for their scheduled events.

Local school districts and municipalities have graciously volunteered their facilities for our use.Changes to the events will be communicated as the modifications are scheduled.

“Our students and staff remain flexible with space and scheduling as we continue the educational and athletic programs at Hononegah.

“We are anxious to finalize the recovery of equipment still housed in the Dome and look forward to working through the next phase of this process, which involves determining future structural decisions,” says Superintendent Lynn Gibson.

Hononegah will continue to reach out to families and the community with updates on the Dome.The outpouring of concern and care from our community and neighboring districts has been greatly appreciated.

Questions can be directed to Dr. Lynn Gibson, Superintendent, at (815) 624-5062 or e-mail at [email protected].