Fargodome facts for kids
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| Full name | Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome |
|---|---|
| Address | 1800 University Dr N |
| Location | North Dakota State University Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Owner | City of Fargo |
| Operator | Fargo Dome Authority |
| Capacity | 18,700 (football)
Concerts
Gate City Bank Theater: 3,500
Half house: 11,000 3/4 house: 16,000 End stage: 22,000 Center stage:26,700 |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April 26, 1990 |
| Opened | December 2, 1992 |
| Construction cost | $48 million ($108 million in 2022 ) |
| Architect |
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| General contractor | Industrial Builders, Inc. |
| Main contractors | Meinecke-Johnson |
| Tenants | |
| Fargo-Moorhead Fever (CBA) (1992–1994) Fargo-Moorhead Beez (CBA) (2001–2002) North Dakota State Bison (NCAA) (1993–present) Fargo Freeze (IFL) (2000) |
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The Fargodome is a large indoor stadium and convention center. It is located in Fargo, North Dakota, on the campus of North Dakota State University (NDSU). The Fargodome opened in 1992. Even though it's on the university's campus, the city of Fargo owns and runs it.
This building is not actually shaped like a dome. It can hold 18,700 people for football games. For concerts, it can fit over 25,000 people. The Fargodome is about 900 feet above sea level.
It is the home field for the Bison football team. This team plays in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Before 1993, the Bison played at Dacotah Field. The Fargodome also hosts NDSU graduation ceremonies. Many big concerts, other sports events, and trade shows happen here too.
Contents
Fargodome's History
The idea for the Fargodome started in 1987. It was first planned to have an inflatable roof. But later, they decided to build a strong, fixed roof. The name "dome" just stuck!
- 1987: The first idea for a large convention and sports building in Fargo was suggested.
- 1988: Voters in Fargo approved a special sales tax to help pay for the stadium.
- 1992: The Fargodome officially opened its doors.
- 1994-2000: It hosted the Snow Bowl, an all-star football game for NCAA Division II.
- 2009: The Fargodome was used to fill and store sandbags during a big flood. This helped protect the city.
- 2012: A new AstroTurf field was put in. Gate City Bank helped pay for it, so the field was named after them.
- 2012: The Fargodome hosted a preseason NBA basketball game. The Minnesota Timberwolves played the Indiana Pacers.
- 2022: The old AstroTurf was replaced with an even newer version. This also included upgrades to the system that rolls out the turf.
- 2023: Plans for a big renovation were suggested. These plans would have added a convention center and updated parts of the stadium. However, Fargo residents voted against the plan.
Exciting Events and Shows
The Fargodome hosts many different kinds of events. These include exciting shows like Monster Jam and World Wrestling Entertainment. It also has trade shows and local events. For a short time in 2000, it was home to the Fargo Freeze indoor football team.
Wrestling Championships
Every July, the Fargodome hosts a big wrestling event. It's called the USA Wrestling 16U/Junior National Championships. Young wrestlers from all over the country come to compete here.
Famous Concerts
Many famous music artists have performed at the Fargodome. Some of these include Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, Garth Brooks, AC/DC, and Pink. The Fargodome can also host ice shows like Disney on Ice. It can even put on traveling Broadway plays.
Gate City Bank Theater
Inside the Fargodome, there is a special area called the Gate City Bank Theater. This theater is used for plays and other stage shows. Both local groups and touring shows perform here.
Upgrades and Changes
The Fargodome has been updated several times to make it even better.
- New Video Boards: In 2016, the stadium got brand new video screens. This included two huge 30-foot by 100-foot HD video boards at each end of the field. There are also four large HD video boards in the corners. These new screens make it much easier for fans to see replays and scores.
- Updated Field: In 2022, the stadium replaced its playing field. The old AstroTurf was swapped for a newer version. This upgrade also improved the "Magic Carpet" system. This system helps roll the turf onto the stadium floor.
The Fargodome has looked into adding more permanent seats. This would help with the large crowds at NDSU football games. However, adding more seats would require big changes to the building.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I FCS football stadiums
- Fill the Dome
