There have been many complaints about the Fargodome, including operational issues and the building itself. It's time to speak out and demand some action.
Although they've done a good job keeping the building in good shape and have upgraded video boards, turf, parking and audio, there are major issues that were on display during the JMU game. It had clearly contributed to the declining attendance
Common complaints include
1) Long lines to enter the dome while freezing in the cold with no wind cover. This has gotten considerably worse since they added metal detectors in 2018
2) Shortage of restrooms
3) Long lines at the concession stands (that bottle neck with the restroom lines)
4) Narrow concourses (that you can't walk through because of the restroom and food lines)
5) No wifi and unusable cell service
6) Poor selection of food vendors, including nothing in the 4th quarter.
7) Lack of club seating and suites
8) Ugly old seats that lack things such as cup holders
9) Long tiring walk up to row KK with no elevator or escalator.
Dom Izzo and Jeff Kolpack discuss some of those issues here
https://www.inforum.com/sports/bison...erience-better
There is a 50 million dollar Fargodome surplus fund that could be used to pay for some of the upgrades. Just the earnings alone on the principal should be able to fund expansions or improvements. Example: The video boards that cost 10 million were set up as a 10 payment bond. (payment 5 out of 10 will be done in 2022)
Encourage the Fargodome Authority to put together a plan and for the City Commission to make a decision. (see below) Ask them to explore financing options and if they want to keep punting, put it on the ballot in November. If Tony Gehrig tries to say these buildings operate at a loss, that's BS. It operates at a profit and has a surplus.
The Fargodome is almost 30 years old and hasn't had a major renovation since the east side lobby. By comparison, the Metrodome was torn down after 32 years. Fargodome upgrades are needed for more than just NDSU Football Games. The Fargodome is now in competition with the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls and appears to be losing concerts and events to them. I fear it may end up neglected like the Fargo Civic Center.
Ultimately, the Fargo City Commission is the decider. If they don't know about your concerns, they probably won't make it a priority. Click here to contact all city commissioners here: Link: https://fargond.gov/city-government/...ion/contact-us or you can contact them individually below
Fargo City Commissioners
Mayor Mahoney
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...sion%2Fmembers
Phone: 701.241.1310
John Strand
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...sion%2Fmembers
Phone: 701.715.3269
Tony Gehrig -
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...sion%2Fmembers
Phone: 701.893.8185
Dave Piepkorn
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...dave-piepkorn*
Phone: 701.809.5449.
Arlette Preston
Email: https://fargond.gov/contact-us?conta...sion%2Fmembers
Phone: 701.715.2862
Fargodome Authority
The seven members of the Fargo Dome Authority are appointed by the Fargo City Commission from nominations from the City of Fargo (2), NDSU Administration (2), the Fargo Park Board (1), the Fargo School Board (1) and the Cass County Commission (1). Members’ four-year terms are served voluntarily, without compensation
https://fargond.gov/city-government/...e-authorityYou can watch Fargodome Authority Meetings online here*https://fargond.gov/city-government/...meeting-videos or on the City Of Fargo Facebook or You Tube Channel
Here are the members of the Fargodome Authority. I can't find individual contact information on them.
Blake Nelson - President (Park District)
Michael Ellingson - Vice President (NDSU)
Dan Armbrust - Secretary (City Commission Nominee)
Rick Steen - Treasurer
David Suppes - Member (City Commission Nominee}
Troy Goergen - Member (NDSU)
Nancy Jordheim - Member (School Board)
Rob Sobolik - GM
Fargodome Contact Form - https://fargodome.com/contact-us
Email: dome.info@fargodome.com
Phone: 701-241-9100
Here are some of the plans they have drawn up over the years, that never seem to get done
This plan is from 2015*Fargodome committee reviews seven expansion options ranging from $87,000 to $21.5 million - InForum |
https://www.inforum.com/newsmd/fargo...o-21-5-million
This is a Conference Center plan from late 2018
Conference center could take Fargodome ‘to the next level,’ dome general manager says
https://www.jamestownsun.com/busines...l-manager-says
Fargodome remodeling project plans on hold for now (June 2019)
https://www.inforum.com/news/fargodo...n-hold-for-now