Goodbye, RCA Dome. Hello, Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Indianapolis Colts officially launched the Lucas Oil Stadium era Sunday, opening the roof and north-facing window 15 minutes before an exhibition game between the Colts and Bills.

The roof and window of the $720 million stadium were only opened temporarily as this is the preseason and the Colts are still working out the kinks in the system.

Jim Irsay threw a switch to open the roof and window during the pre-game ceremonies, then closed them by game time.

During the regular season the Colts will have 90 minutes to decide whether the roof will be open or closed. Once the decision is made, the system must stay in that position until the end of the game. The exception would be if the roof were in an open position and severe weather impacted the game. At that time, only the game referee can rule the roof be closed.

The league had to approve of the ceremonial opening and closing today.

(See computer renderings, and details for construction and funding regarding Lucas Oil Stadium)

The stadium’s opening outlines the balance and concerns regarding public subsidy for stadium development. Lucas Oil Stadium will see Jim Irsay pay less than one-seventh the cost of the facility, and when adding in the loan from the NFL’s G4 fund, Irsay winds up paying almost nothing in up-front costs.

On the other side, Colts ownership will enjoy the naming rights and other sponsorship deals, and a percentage of concessions, plus non-football event revenues.

To add to this, there is still a considerable amount of outstanding debt on the RCA Dome – nearly $75 million. That debt will not be retired for another 25 years.

Still, today is about a new era for the Colts. How did the exhibition game end? The Bills won 20-7, meaning history will record that the first game by the Colts in Lucas Oil was a loss. The Colts are now 1-3 in preseason play.

Box Score for First Colts Game at Lucas Oil Stadium

• Passing: Gray (IND) 158 yds
• Rushing: Jackson (BUF) 30 yds
• Receiving: Aromashodu (IND) 94 yds

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written by No Fan of Lucas Oil , August 25, 2008

Man, that is one ugly stadium. Looks like a barn.

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