RCA Dome reduced to a pile of rubble

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The former home of the Indianapolis Colts is now a pile of rubble. The RCA Dome implosion was scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday morning, but after a short delay, it went off without a hitch.

"Everything went as planned," said demolition manager Tom Scheele. Just after 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, the Indianapolis skyline changed forever with a big bang. After a year and a half of planning, 610 pounds of explosives, 2.5 miles of detonating cord, the RCA Dome was imploded.

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The stadium was originally named the Hoosier Dome and had stood on the city's skyline since the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984. It had become the NFL's smallest stadium.

"It's very much an art, less than a science," Sheele said. "There's a lot of energy put in by a lot of people." No matter the vantage point, each camera captured a unique view. It only took 20 seconds for the dome come down.

"It's a little bit ironic that we're from Baltimore; we're taking down the stadium that the Colts left Baltimore for," said Mark Loizeau of Controlled Demolition, Inc.

Crews were set to implode the dome around 9 a.m., but they had to delay it because of a CSX train and a bystander.

"We had someone sneak in the parking garage so actually the delay was good because of our safety protocol we found that person and got him out,” Scheele said.

And after getting the all clear, 800 charges spread throughout the dome to bring it down.

"It went great. Picture perfect all the planning bore a great fruit for Indianapolis," Scheele said.

Demolition crews say it should take about four months to clean up the debris. The next milestone should happen in late January or February when crews will start the concrete foundation and structural steel work for the expanded convention center.

State officials said the expansion will raise Indianapolis to the 16th largest convention city in the country. The hope is to draw more and bigger conventions to the city, along with new jobs, tax revenue and the economic boost that comes along with them.

The entire project is slated to cost $275 million. It is expected to be completed by fall of 2010.