New Exterior Marks New Era at Superdome

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Bill Curl, Superdome PR
(504) 587-3921
Bill.curl@superdome.com

NEW EXTERIOR MARKS NEW ERA AT SUPERDOME

New Orleans, LA—New aluminum panels are being installed on the Louisiana Superdome’s exterior walls in a massive project that will take approximately 14 months

The iconic Superdome is entering a new era with a shiny new look while retaining the distinctive shape of one of America’s greatest stadiums. Completion is slated for next spring, with business as usual inside.

The timing is appropriate, as New Orleans gets ready for a plateful of big time sports events that no other city has ever experienced: the 2012 BCS College Football Championship, the 2012 NCAA Men’s Final Four and the 2013 Super Bowl.

The work on the outer walls marks the third and final phase of a $219 million facelift following Hurricane Katrina. Plans are being completed for an additional $85 million improvement package that will include newly configured sideline seating, additional private club and suite areas, a wider main concourse and a new press box.

That construction will take place in the summers of 2010 and 2011.

Thus the Superdome will continue to add more historic events and legendary performances to its colorful 34-year history. Innovative from the start, the Dome will continue to be on the cutting edge.

The exterior will be light bronze, the same as the original Superdome finish. The new anodized aluminum exterior panels will have a ‘rainscreen’ approach that sheds and controls—but does not eliminate—the penetration of water. A 4-in. thick layer of polyurethane foam separates it from the inner leaf, which provides an air/moisture barrier. The result is improved insulation for the big building’s 125 million cu. ft. interior.

A scaffold system has been specially designed to fit the curvature of the Superdome’s contour to install the panels. The pieces are 12-in. high by 25-ft. long, and it will take approximately 16,000 of them to cover the total of 365,000 sq. ft. A bi-directional Kalzip FC façade system was researched, developed, tested and manufactured for the project to allow easy installation and replacement.

When the 2009 football season concludes, work on the new package begins inside. The new improvements will ensure the building will remain one of the premiere event destinations in the country for decades to come.

Complete replacement of the Plaza Level (lower bowl) sideline seats, will move them closer to the action, resulting in improved sightlines, 3,100 additional sideline seats and improved disabled seating. New Club Suites located under both sides of the new Plaza Level stands will have beautiful furnishings, a full service bar, and will be convenient to the sideline seats and parking in the Dome garages.

The Dome’s Plaza Level concourse will be widened by 50 feet, providing better access, more food service areas, more specialty stands, more souvenir stands and more restrooms. The press box will be moved to the Terrace Level, and new suites will be added to the existing ones on the 300 Level. Still more upgrades will be made to two restaurants located on the Plaza Level and to the team store.

Upcoming Major Sports Events:

Mar. 18 & 20, 2010—NCAA Men’s Basketball 1^st/2^nd Round in the Arena. Second time in the Arena; sixth men’s regional in New Orleans.

Mar. 24-27, 2011 (exact playing dates TBA)—NCAA Men’s Basketball Regionals, in the Superdome. Fifth regional session the Dome (including 1^st & 2^nd rounds); seventh in New Orleans.

Mar. 2012—Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament. (In the Arena for the first time; played in the Superdome in 2003).

Apr. 2012—NCAA Men’s Final Four. Fifth time in Superdome (previously in 1982, 1987, 1993, 2003).

Apr. 2013—NCAA Women’s Final Four. Second time in the Arena (first was in 2004).