Superdome is home to the National Football League’s (NFL) New Orleans Saints. The Superdome is scheduled to undergo $320 million in renovations in three phases following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
According to SMG, the venue management, marketing and development company that manages the Superdome and the adjacent New Orleans Arena on behalf of the state, the work on Phase I of the $85 million renovation to the Superdome will be complete in time for Saints exhibition opener against the Houston Texans.
The exterior of the Superdome is being outfitted in shiny, new skin bringing the building back to its original lustre of light bronze. Underneath the new skin will be a ‘rain-screen’ weather-proofing that shields and controls water penetration. The latest phase of renovation to the stadium includes new luxury boxes. Locker rooms have also received facelift.
The stadium currently features a new team store, which can accommodate more shoppers and merchandise. The bridge leading to Gate C has been replaced by a massive staircase leading up to the stadium. The installation of a pair of express elevators that would have taken media, coaches and game-day personnel from ground level to the new press box, was not completed in Phase I, and this work will be carried out in the next phase of renovation.
The Phase II renovation, which is scheduled to be completed by July 2011, will include a re-configuration of the lower seating bowl that should add around 3,000 seats.
