RCA Dome Implosion Saturday Takes Place After Six Months of Preparation (Video Included)

The RCA Dome was imploded Saturday morning, as the stadium was demolished after nearly 6 months of preparation. The RCA Dome Implosion took place just after 9:30am, and took less than 25 seconds to take down the stadiums upper floors. Up to this point, the RCA Dome had been the smallest of the NFL's stadiums, and had served as the home to the Indianapolis Colts since 1984. This season the NFL's Colts had moved to the newly built Lucas Oil Stadium, where quarterback Peyton Manning and his team have been doing quite well in the 2008 season.

The RCA Dome had to be prepared over a nearly 6 month set-up for the implosion, including the removal of many supporting wall, and having installed protection for many of the surrounding buildings. It was a historic building that had seen much success for the Indianapolis Colts franchise, and had also hosted several NCAA Final Four tournaments and the Circle City Classic. The RCA Dome had also been the locale for many concerts and conventions for the area, and had helped the downtown area for many years. As has happened in many other cities though, it was time to take down an aging building and replace it with a brand new one that can bring in even more revenue for the city of Indianapolis.

It took nearly 800 specifically placed (and timed) charges to bring down the RCA Dome, and as crews stood by during the demotion, a massive plum of dust, debris, and smoke could be seen for miles as the demotion culminated. In place of the old dome will be a brand new and expanded convention center that the city can enjoy, and as the Indianapolis Colts already have a new stadium, the old field wasn't being used enough to keep it standing. Now the RCA Dome has been demolished for the sake of progress in the area.

It's always a shame to see a former stadium for a major franchise get demolished like this, as even a smaller stadium like the RCA Dome holds many memories for players and fans alike that have been there to witness the success of the Indianapolis Colts in recent years. This includes a Super Bowl run by the Colts, and the excitement that many college basketball fans found with the NCAA Final Four's that were held there. But with the rising salaries in pro sports and the need to sell more tickets, the right of progress over-took and quaintness that the small stadium may have held. Now the Colts have a bigger and better place to play, and the RCA Dome will only be remembered in the hearts and minds of the die-hard fans.

Source: Indiana News Center Story and Video of Implosion