The Pontiac Silverdome hasn’t been used for much since the Lions moved downtown, except for a few soccer games and boxing matches. It seems like the parking lot saw more action with the drive-in and hosting the Vans Warped Tour for a few summers. Since the dome was deflated in January of 2013, the once great stadium now stands as a reminder of the events that took place within. In a WDIV report, viewers get a look at the current state of the building. The video shows rain falling through the tattered roof, pieces of which lie draped across the seats and field. The AstroTurf looks more like an AstroSwamp. However, the disrepair may not be the biggest news.
Failing to resurrect the structure to serve as any sort of venue, Triple Investment Group — the company that procured the Silverdome in 2009 — is planning to auction off pieces from the stadium to the general public next month. RJM Auctions will be handling the online auction that goes from May 21 through 29, but will give on-site previews of all the items prior to the start. Some of the things on the block include kitchen equipment from the restaurants and concession stands, furniture from the suites and executive offices, audio visual equipment and assorted memorabilia. Each item comes with a certificate of authenticity that has a piece of the actual dome laminated to the back.
Obviously, most people identify the Silverdome as home to the Lions during the second most dismal time in the team’s history. Right now, fans can buy seats from the stadium, which start at $100. As evidenced in the report, die-hard Lions’ fans appear to be excited to own a piece of the old stadium. For them, owning seats that they shared with family and friends means more than just cool sports memorabilia —they’re memories.
Aside from the twenty-six seasons that the Lions called the Silverdome home, the venue hosted many big events, including a Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup, NBA All Star and Finals games. There were also many significant events in music history, such as record attendance at concerts by The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin and The King himself. However, two events trump them all. In 1987, the Pontiac Silverdome hosted Wrestlemania III and a mass conducted by Pope John Paul II, with both events attracting audiences of over 93,000 people. As grass and weeds grow up through the artificial turf, the structure’s uncertain future looks bleak. Perhaps buying an old sign or a deep fryer will help you look back at time you spent at the Silverdome with fondness.
