The New Orleans Saints returned to the Superdome last night. The refurbished 72,000-seat Superdome is sold out for the season - a first in Saints history.
Restoring the Superdome cost about $130 million in federal and state funds, which were used to replace the 9.7-acre roof, artificial-turf field, 500,000 square feet of ceiling tile and nearly everything else trashed by the storm. Snazzier scoreboards and other improvements, some unfinished, put the total cost at $185 million.
The stadium wasn't expected to reopen until at least November, but Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco suspended some contract requirements, accelerating construction. Outside roof work was interrupted by only five days of bad weather.
The Superdome is now getting ready for another homecoming. Next Saturday, Tulane University's football team will play there, too, ending its streak of 14 straight road games in 12 different stadiums.
[ via Rick Brooks, Wall Street Journal ]
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