Carrier Dome Special Collections Research Center

Carrier Dome, Photo & Imaging Center RS 8692

Construction Began: April 1979

Dedicated and Occupied: September 20, 1980; first official basketball game held November 29, 1980 against Columbia University

Cost: $27 million

Funding: $15 million grant from New York State; $2.75 million from Carrier Corporation, for whom building named; and remainder from donations of friends of Syracuse University

Architects: Finch-Heery, Atlanta, GA and Hueber Hares Glavin, Syracuse

Roof Project Engineers: Geiger Berger Associates

Roof Contractors: Birdair Structures

Managing Contractors: Hueber, Hunt and Nichols, Inc., Indianapolis

Materials: 30,000 cubic yards of concrete and 880 tons of steel

Location: Bordered by Forestry Drive and Crouse Drive; former site of Archbold Stadium, which was demolished December 1978 through March 1979

Space: Covers 7.5 acres; 527,320 square feet of floor space; top of Dome is 160 feet above playing surface

Notes: A variety of events have been hosted at the Dome, including SU football, basketball, lacrosse, track and field, soccer, field hockey; professional and high school athletic events; University commencement and various academic convocations; ice skating shows; concerts; community events; and an annual celebration honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At the time construction was completed, was ranked 5th largest domed stadium in the United States and the first of its kind in the Northeast.