Linda Heiden (pictured), our very capable administration manager here at the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, is a member of one our ICVA Toastmasters Clubs. Earlier this year, she gave a speech in which she pretended to be the voice of the soon-to-be-demolished RCA Dome.

Wednesday morning, the Dome was deflated. During a ceremony marking the occasion, Linda’s speech was read. It was a moving moment.

Thus, I thought I’d share her speech with the world, or at least those who pass by this blog. It really captures the essence of the building that did so much to redefine Indianapolis.

Here it is …

Time to Say Goodbye

I am the RCA Dome.  Many people still remember my original name   the "Hoosier Dome". 

A shiny shovel broke my ground on May 27, 1982.  In August 1983, my Teflon-coated roof was inflated when huge fans were turned on.  I opened my doors for the first event   the 500 Festival Mayor's Breakfast on May 3, 1984, with over 5,000 people in attendance, including the newly arrived Indianapolis Colts.

My building area covers eight acres, and my roof height is as tall as a 19 story building.  My roof may look as light as a feather, but it weighs 257 tons. 

A kind staff served countless cups of coffee at my first event   the 1984 Mayor's Breakfast.  Countless gallons of water were part of my final event, the Fire Department Instructors' Conference last April.

In between, millions have come through my windy entrances.  Together, we have welcomed U.S. Presidents, professional and amateur sports heroes, performing arts participants and university presidents.  We have honored our military men and women, greeted spiritual leaders, business leaders and police officers and firefighters from around the world.  And, yes, I even remember that day your six year old son stood on my turf, looked up at the stands, heard the imaginary roar of the crowd and dreamed of one day becoming an NFL quarterback.

I have shown on my floor acres of automobiles, both contemporary and classic, hardware supplies and even computers and other high tech devices.  I have hosted concerts, combines and clinics, ballgames, bands and boat shows.  Trucks have even dumped dirt on my floor so the famous monster truck, Grave Digger, could roar.

Thousands have prayed here, promised here and made plans to leave here and lead more spiritual lives.

I have rocked with Bruce Springsteen, Genesis, Pink Floyd, the Stones and with, yes, U2.  And who could forget Gloria Estefan performing during pyrotechnics at the closing of the Pan Am Games?

The Flag of our Fathers has been unfurled countless times before events commenced here as extraordinary athletes endured the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."  I have hosted track and field events, world gymnastics contests, volleyball and baseball...and then, there is basketball.

Who can forget the U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team and the NBA All Star game or the IHSAA Boys' Basketball Championship when Damon Bailey led his team to a comeback victory and was named "Mr. Basketball" in front of the largest crowd ever to stand and cheer a high school basketball game?

Many times, I hosted the cream of the crop in college hoops and even five phenomenal NCAA Women's and Men's Final Fours.

I have had a ball with football ...  remember the '84 Bears/Bills NFL exhibition match (scheduled before the Colts came to town); the Dome dedication game when Purdue defeated Notre Dame; the first regular season Indianapolis Colts game…and the first ever Monday Night Football Game in Indianapolis on Halloween in 1988?

I can still hear the echoes from that January '07 game when the Colts gave football fans the greatest comeback ever in a conference championship game crushing of those New England Patriots 38-34 in the AFC Championship Title Game to advance to Super Bowl XLI and become World Champions.

The day after that Super Bowl, people stood on our downtown streets in single digit temperatures waiting for our team.  Inside, 60,000 fans celebrated in deafening fashion ... the end of a sweet, sweet season.  As Colts owner, Jim Irsay said, "It was our time and our year."

It is now September 2008.  I have sent my beloved Colts across the street to Lucas Oil Stadium and now need to make way for an expanded Indiana Convention Center.  I do so with the satisfaction of knowing the enormous impact I have had on our community.

My boxes are now packed, my memories are intact, the moving vans have pulled away and the crews have begun the demolition.

Now, as my roof slowly comes down, I will gradually vanish from my beloved city's landscape.

Dear friends, after 24 years, it is time to say goodbye.  Thank you for the memories, the moments, the victories, the friendships, the experiences and the opportunity to be part of our great city.