PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - It’s not quite a “dome” at the moment.

Crews renovating the Pontiac Silverdome have deflated the venue’s once puffy roof ahead of the start of work to return the former home of the Detroit Lions to use.

Silverdome events coordinator Alex Loewy said stadium owner Triple Investment Group LLC will begin renovations this spring and summer.

Loewy said Thursday’s deflation will save energy costs and clear the way for a more efficient renewable alternative.  He said the old, now-deflated roof will be removed. It will be replaced with a new, solid roof with solar panels that does not require air pressure.

“I think that they just plan on starting to renovate the entire building to bring it up to a usual venue that can complete,” Lowey told WWJ Newsradio 950.

The deflated Sliverdome roof is a bit concave. (credit: WWJ/Lance Howard)

The 80,300-seat stadium was completed in 1975 at a cost of $55 million in the dollars of that time. It was sold at auction in 2009 for $583,000.

The Lions played at the Silverdome until 2002 before moving to Ford Field in Detroit.

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