Texas Tech Athletic Training Center Roof Collapses [Photos]

LUBBOCK (KFYO/KKAM) - Late Thursday evening (Dec. 31), the roof to the Texas Tech Athletic Training Center collapsed.

[Update Jan. 1, 2016 3 p.m.] Texas Tech Athletics Assistant Director of Communications Matt Dowdy said that a large tear on the south side of the Athletic Training Center caused the deflation.

"Our foremost concern is the safety of our student athletes and staff who utilize the facility," said Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt. "We will conduct a structural study to explore the extent of the damage and then decide on the feasibility of repairing it."

The facility, built in 1985, was previously scheduled to be torn down this spring. Construction of the new Sports Performance Center in its place will happen at some point in the future.

[Original story] The structure, also known as "The Bubble," houses Texas Tech's indoor track program.

The collapse was caused by the weight of the snow and ice that had collected over the past week on the air-supported structure, said Texas Tech Athletics via Twitter. It's reminiscent of the collapse of the air-supported roof of Minneapolis' now-defunct HHH Metrodome about five years ago.

Related: South Plains Mall Roof Collapse

Texas Tech officials issued a brief statement Friday morning at about 6 a.m. on Twitter, essentially stating that additional details would be made available sometime on Friday.

It is currently unknown how much structural and water damage occurred inside The Bubble.

The Bubble is slated to be demolished within the next few years as part of the Texas Tech Athletic Department's Fearless Champions fundraising campaign.

A new indoor track facility and indoor football practice facility are slated to be built in its place.

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