Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud has appointed a workgroup to develop a plan to deal with the Carrier Dome should it become unusable due to roof failure.

Syverud said in a campus-wide email that during the next few months, the group, chaired by professor Rick Burton of the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, will gather critical information. The goal, Syverud said, is to develop a contingency plan allowing the university to quickly respond if the Dome roof fails.

In addition, the group’s work will help quantify the costs of a contingency plan and aid the university in better understanding how a roof failure might economically affect the region, Syverud said.

“We just have to be prepared for any emergency at the same time we plan carefully for the longer-term future of our athletic venues,” Syverud said.

 The future of the Dome has been a topic of heavy discussion the last few months. Syverud declined to appoint a member to Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner’s Stadium Task Force, instead saying the university will undertake its own analysis.

The Carrier Dome is one of few stadiums left to have an air-supported roof. There are several issues that come with this type of roof — the fabric deteriorates as time passes and if there is severe weather, it could deflate the Dome.

“The big issue in a climate like Syracuse is there’s always the potential that you could lose the roof in a snowstorm,” David Campbell, CEO of Geiger Engineers, said in a February interview. “That potential exists, every winter season. It’s only one bad storm from being reality.”

Kevin Quinn, SU senior vice president of public affairs, said in an email that the workgroup wasn’t formed from pressing concern about the Dome roof, but rather to be prepared in the event that something unexpected happens.

Quinn said the group will provide the chancellor with a report of its findings at the conclusion of its work.

Published on March 6, 2014 at 2:19 am

Contact Brett: blsamuel@syr.edu | @Brett_Samuels27