On Friday, February 10th, the Braemar Golf Dome collapsed due to a fire. Many details of this incident are still uncertain, but the fire most likely started due to “an electrical failure of a newly installed lighting system,” says Edina Fire Chief Marty Scheerer.

Scheerer described the chain of events caused by the fire. “There was a small hole burned into the flexible dome material, which caused a loss of air pressure and a subsequent collapse. The collapse created stress on the wood and metal structure which was then also damaged,” reports Scheerer. This means the dome is completely unusable for the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately this collapse puts some of Edina’s teams out of a practice area. The Edina boys’ lacrosse team has been using the dome for preseason practice. “We should be practicing there until the end of March,” lamented head coach Travis Wells. Luckily for the lacrosse team, the weather has been cooperative so they have been able to hold practice outside. However, with several weeks left of pre-season practice, the unpredictable Minnesota weather, and no dome in sight, this is definitely a concern for the team.

The girls’ lacrosse team is experiencing similar problems. Co-head coach Chelsea Duke, explains that they too should be practicing every week at the dome. “We’re thinking of holding practices at Kuhlman, but it seems to be too expensive. So as of right now we are at a standstill.”

However Chief Scheerer noted that the dome will be getting repaired. The city is currently meeting with its insurer and figuring out its options.