sport
Anchorage's Dome Facility Secures Financing for November Reopening After January Roof Collapse
A local developer steps in with roughly $6 million to restore the 200,000-square-foot indoor sports venue used by thousands weekly for soccer, running and other activities.
How we reported this
The Dome indoor sports facility in Anchorage will reopen in November after a developer provided financing to repair the roof that collapsed under heavy snow on January 21.
Why the reopening matters for local athletes
Thousands of Anchorage residents, including adults and children, rely on the venue for organized soccer leagues, indoor running, early-season baseball and softball training plus community events. The January collapse forced teams from the University of Alaska Anchorage and Anchorage School District programs to scramble for alternate spaces, disrupting schedules for tens of thousands of weekly users across the city.
Jonathan Rubini, chairman and CEO of JL Properties, arranged the funding package that includes a bank loan, a personal philanthropic contribution and support from the Anchorage Opportunity Fund. The plan also includes installation of a new laser system to monitor roof deflation and commitments to compensate members whose access was interrupted.
Financial and construction details
According to the September 1, 2017 announcement covered by Alaska Dispatch News, the overall deal totals roughly $6 million to cover repairs and settle claims from bondholders who were owed about $12 million. The Anchorage Opportunity Fund is contributing $3 million, Rubini and his wife are providing a $1 million loan, and $2.75 million will go toward bondholder settlements. The Minneapolis-based manufacturer is scheduled to arrive the following week to assist Davis Construction with the work, with air inflation expected to begin in the coming weeks.
The facility, originally built by ChangePoint ministry and later operated as a nonprofit by Anchorage Sportsplex Inc., had already faced financial challenges before the collapse. With construction timelines tight, officials noted that missing the current season would likely have prevented any reopening this year.
Residents whose memberships were affected can expect updates on compensation through Anchorage Sportsplex Inc. as repairs progress toward the November target date.