Sports Dome Collapses After Winter Storm

Photo courtesy of Rick Jacobson

AURORA, IL — The Sport Zone dome in Aurora collapsed Tuesday for the third time in 25 years.

Owner Tom Clifford told the Chicago Tribune that there’s “quite a bit of damage in and around the dome.” No one was injured, however.

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The collapse occurred slowly at around 3 p.m. Monday. Due to the weather, it collapsed over a period of hours under the weight of the rain, snow and sleet, according to the Tribune.

“By Tuesday morning, all that was left of the busy sports center were bent doorways that opened up to nothing, and an empty parking lot,” the Tribune wrote.

Several children were inside the dome at the time playing a game of catch, but all were able able to make it outside safely. Parents were also able to save their cars, but one person ended up getting his car hood smashed, coach Ryan Clifford told the paper.

The dome has collapsed before in 1997 due to a car accident knocking out power.

“When emergency power at the dome didn’t kick on in time, the fabric dome collapsed,” the Tribune wrote.

The dome collapsed again in 1999 due to weather-related conditions.