GIRARD Owner deflates golf dome

Deflating a dome is simple: Turn off the air and open the doors.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- At first glance, it looked like a blimp had plummeted to the ground in a heap.
But this was no airship. It was Creekside Golf Dome & amp; Sports Bar on North State Street.
The 62-foot-high dome that covers an area larger than two football fields was purposely deflated Monday so it could be replaced.
Kurt Latell, an owner for the past three years, said the dome is being replaced by the German-based manufacturer because the fabric coating had discolored.
Over the years, the off-white surface exposed to the weather turned dark tan is some areas and brown in others.
Latell explained that Creekside is one of 10 domes in the country being replaced by Huywinkle Corp.
The work on the Girard indoor golf facility is being done by Farley Co. of Canada.
It took 42 Girard High School varsity and junior varsity football players a day to dismantle the dome, fold the sections and prepared them for removal. The players are earning money for their football summer camp.
Latell said it will take about two weeks to get the new one up and running. The sports bar remains open.
Simple task: Deflating the dome wasn't difficult. It's simply a matter of turning off the air that keeps it inflated and opening the doors.
Actually, the replacement will serve Creekside, which houses golf simulators and an indoor driving range, better in the long run, Latell said, because it's a higher quality product with insulation that the old material didn't have.
Although Latell won't say what it costs to keep the dome inflated and heated in the winter, he acknowledged utilities run a "pretty good" number.
Latell said the new dome will also be cooler in the summer because of the insulation.
He hopes to attract more events such as soccer, baseball, softball and flag football.
Creekside also operates a miniature golf course across the parking lot from the dome, and a Buster's ice cream outlet opens there later this week.
Latell said an outdoor driving range will be eventually be built on the 22-acre site.