The Woodhaven WonderDome came as an idea to City Recreation Director Charles Horn in 1987. After its design phase, the facility was initially advertised as the largest golf dome of its kind in North America, with a News-Herald article going so far as to explain its construction as a model for "future domed structures that eventually will cover entire cities." Unlike other domes in Michigan, for instance, this one was built to be permanent.
The WonderDome's main functions would be as a golf driving range, soccer field and softball diamond (in-season). |
Turf inside the structure would be naturally grown, in spite of more famous attempts at this failing (most notably the Houston Astrodome when it first opened in the 1960s).
Construction of the $1.3 million facility was to be completed in December, 1987. To the casual viewer, that date looked approachable, as to the untrained eye it would appear construction duties didn't amount to much.
It would be November 21, 1988 however, before a grand opening could take place. Delays were attributed to abnormally bad weather, as well contractor Environmental Systems, Inc. (ESI), getting into arguments with a sub-contractor. |
The delayed opening would have political ramifications, as Woodhaven Mayor James Lambert sent a tersely worded letter to Charles Horn, pinning blame for the delays on him. Horn admitted some delays were his, but nonetheless took great offense at the criticism levied against his Dome idea and, in a 30-minute speech, tendered his resignation from the Recreation Department just before the WonderDome opened.
In spite of the fact that there were still no facility manager or pro-shop proprietor, the Dome opened for city officials November 21; the grand opening was November 30, 1988. Samuel Craig of Allen Park was the first customer at the WonderDome, which had a very light turnout on Day 1, though this was not entirely unexpected. Those who did attend, however, posted rave reviews.
Overall business began slowly as word finally got out about the facility. Many would initially consider the Dome a novelty that would quickly pass. As more time passed, more intrigue was gained. After a more successful season in 1989, hopes were high heading into the 1990 season, with the potential to assist the Easter Seal Telethon and host the Downriver Business Expo. The sky was the limit, figuratively.
But altogether literally... and too soon.
In spite of the fact that there were still no facility manager or pro-shop proprietor, the Dome opened for city officials November 21; the grand opening was November 30, 1988. Samuel Craig of Allen Park was the first customer at the WonderDome, which had a very light turnout on Day 1, though this was not entirely unexpected. Those who did attend, however, posted rave reviews.
Overall business began slowly as word finally got out about the facility. Many would initially consider the Dome a novelty that would quickly pass. As more time passed, more intrigue was gained. After a more successful season in 1989, hopes were high heading into the 1990 season, with the potential to assist the Easter Seal Telethon and host the Downriver Business Expo. The sky was the limit, figuratively.
But altogether literally... and too soon.
WonderDome's promised guarantee fell well short of Woodhaven's expectations
On January 20, 1990, the Downriver area experienced a heavy windstorm which came from the west, sweeping into the area by 1:10 PM. Wind gusts were reported between 66-75 MPH at times.
In spite of this, the WonderDome would hold its own for at least the first 3 1/2 hours of the storm. Attendance was low, but driving range practice was in progress. In a promise by the manufacturer, it was designed to withstand 100 MPH winds (though it was never mentioned if it was either sustained winds, or gusts).
At 5:00 PM, a three-foot hole was seen at the east end of the dome, near the service entrance. As standard procedure, the facility was evacuated, and a repair crew patched up the hole, and put more inside fans on to increase the holding pressure.
In spite of this, the WonderDome would hold its own for at least the first 3 1/2 hours of the storm. Attendance was low, but driving range practice was in progress. In a promise by the manufacturer, it was designed to withstand 100 MPH winds (though it was never mentioned if it was either sustained winds, or gusts).
At 5:00 PM, a three-foot hole was seen at the east end of the dome, near the service entrance. As standard procedure, the facility was evacuated, and a repair crew patched up the hole, and put more inside fans on to increase the holding pressure.
The golfers, who were on the indoor driving range, returned to the facility, but were soon ushered out again as additional problems began to develop at the dome's north and south ends. Rips in the skin/fabric were getting larger and more numerous, as the winds continued to gust unabated. Cables supporting the outer skin began to snap, then a 30 ft. x 2 ft. section of skin was gouged out of the north end of the facility. Repairs commenced again, but eventually were suspended for safety reasons when it became clear winds would not die down.
Gaps in the skin caused by the wind damage were now reaching 60-70 feet in length, and the structure began to sway. A final evacuation was ordered. Three minutes after the last of six employees escaped safely, the dome would deflate. Skin was now rapidly peeling off the structure. Southbound I-75 was closed at West Road for safety precautions as a large piece of fabric nearly ran across the freeway, stopped only by a small fence.
Gaps in the skin caused by the wind damage were now reaching 60-70 feet in length, and the structure began to sway. A final evacuation was ordered. Three minutes after the last of six employees escaped safely, the dome would deflate. Skin was now rapidly peeling off the structure. Southbound I-75 was closed at West Road for safety precautions as a large piece of fabric nearly ran across the freeway, stopped only by a small fence.
Public reaction as to what to do next was muddled at best. Many thought the facility should have another chance, having only had 18 months to prove itself, and with all signs pointing to the facility doing exactly that. But the majority of taxpayers, who had spent $107,000 in facility subsidy, thought otherwise. Richard Withey, who had defeated James Lambert to become the new Mayor, said, "I'm getting calls from residents who believe now that it's down, maybe it's best that we keep it down."
The city would not suffer a direct shot to its coffers, thanks to an insurance policy on the structure by Lademan & Youd which kept supplemental income coming for six months. But the end of the Wonderdome perplexed many, including Mayor Withey: "We didn't have 100 MPH winds... so what the heck happened?" |
"Community residents should recognize that more than $1 million has already been spent on the facility and therefore it would be fiscally irresponsible not to repair it in some constructive way... If money were the only consideration, Riverview would never have built 'Mount Trashmore' many years ago." |
If it was ultimately chosen to not have the facility return as a golf dome, residents suggested moving the stadium lights over to a nearby ballfield. Mayor Withey suggested the area become an amphitheater.
Regardless, the annual Downriver Business Expo slated for the WonderDome that summer, had to find a new location. Other events canceled included youth soccer days, as well as the broadcasting location for the Easter Seals Telethon.
In a spot of irony, the city of Woodhaven would receive a $10,000 grant for the purchase of Astroturf (to cover up the real grass growth for business events) the same day of the storm.
Regardless, the annual Downriver Business Expo slated for the WonderDome that summer, had to find a new location. Other events canceled included youth soccer days, as well as the broadcasting location for the Easter Seals Telethon.
In a spot of irony, the city of Woodhaven would receive a $10,000 grant for the purchase of Astroturf (to cover up the real grass growth for business events) the same day of the storm.
Over a year later, the issue would once again surface for Woodhaven politicians. The city had hired the Van Dyke Sports Center firm in July, 1990 in an effort to rebuild and operate the dome. Concurrently, an official survey had been sent to residents to gather their opinions on what to do with the property. The end results would show - by a 3-to-1 margin - that they wanted the dome rebuilt. Further, 62% of respondees wanted a new facility to be privately leased, with no city involvement.
In April 1991, ex-mayor Lambert would make accusations of the Withey administration, accusing them of "going beyond the intent" of what the survey was intended to do. Specifically, the plot of land on which the dome originally stood had been purchased with an open-space grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and encompassed 2 1/2 acres. Part of the site renovation included "modification" to the nearby sled hill in Civic Center Park. By doing so, the land acreage would grow to 20 acres and that, according to Lambert, would result in Woodhaven having to pay the grant back to HUD.
In April 1991, ex-mayor Lambert would make accusations of the Withey administration, accusing them of "going beyond the intent" of what the survey was intended to do. Specifically, the plot of land on which the dome originally stood had been purchased with an open-space grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and encompassed 2 1/2 acres. Part of the site renovation included "modification" to the nearby sled hill in Civic Center Park. By doing so, the land acreage would grow to 20 acres and that, according to Lambert, would result in Woodhaven having to pay the grant back to HUD.
Withey was non-commital to Lambert's questions; subsequently, several Freedom Of Information (FOIA) requests would be made of the city by Lambert's wife. It may be noted that the accompanying News-Herald article of April, 1991 indicated in part that politics had always been behind the project since its first inception in 1987, per "City Hall sources."
It would indeed take a few more years for activity to finally resume on the property. The skin had been hauled away at the beginning, but the base became an eyesore and was finally removed later. It is now presumably a ballfield, and the light poles which surrounded the WonderDome a generation ago now shine - outdoors - on the new generation.
It would indeed take a few more years for activity to finally resume on the property. The skin had been hauled away at the beginning, but the base became an eyesore and was finally removed later. It is now presumably a ballfield, and the light poles which surrounded the WonderDome a generation ago now shine - outdoors - on the new generation.