The Carrier Dome opened the doors to Syracuse fans in 1980, but it has seen better days. On Friday Syracuse University sent a letter to the mayor of Syracuse to provide some information about the concept for a new athletics home as well as plans for surrounding the potential stadium.
According to the letter, which you can read in its entirety via Syracuse.com, Syracuse has a concept that would constrict a brand new 44,000-seat stadium that would serve as the home for multiple sports including football, basketball and lacrosse just as the Carrier Dome is currently used. The new stadium would include a retractable roof, which would allow Syracuse to play football in the elements at home for the first time in decades, although the roof would likely be closed in the event of inclement weather. The stadium construction cost is estimated to be $495 million.
It is important to keep in mind this is just the first of what would likely be many steps to make a new stadium construction official. The interest in discussing plans is clearly in place, but the plans still have some hoops to go through, and likely some modifications, before being finalized and approved. Then, Syracuse says, the construction would likely be a four-year project before being completed.
If the plans are not approved, Syracuse is prepared to do what they can with some upgrades to the Carrier Dome, although the financial commitment for any stadium upgrades has not been reported. If the new stadium is built, there are no plans to continue using the Carrier Dome by the university.
This news should not come as a surprise. Since moving in to the ACC, it was expected Syracuse would need to make a commitment to upgrading certain facilities. The Carrier Dome, well beyond its prime, is no exception. The Carrier Dome is a unique dual-purpose stadium for Syracuse as it hosts both football and basketball under the same roof for one of the more unique atmospheres for each sport, although from a football perspective the Carrier Dome has long been outdated.