FARGO — New family restrooms and mother's rooms will open on the mezzanine level of the Fargodome in time for this weekend's Bison football game.
Part of a more grand plan to improve bathroom facilities at the Fargodome, the new addition includes three family bathrooms with adult changing beds and diaper disposal bins and three mother's rooms where moms can breastfeed or pump in a comfortable, padded chair. Mothers can also change diapers in the rooms.
Previously, there were no such facilities, except for a temporary small pod for breastfeeding . Fargodome General Manager Rob Sobolik said they also used to allow mothers to use offices or conference rooms on the second level.
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Because the new $400,000 project is on the mezzanine level and outside of the security confines of the dome, Sobolik said mothers and others can get a stamp and explain their situation to ushers. The facilities are near the top of the escalators on the second floor.
"This is one of those guest expectations," Sobolik said, noting that many entertainment venues offer such facilities. "We're just trying to do the best we can."
He also said they plan to add more family restrooms and mother's rooms when the main level of the Fargodome is remodeled in the coming years. Plans also include the expanded concourses and seating, more handicapped accessible seats and more bathrooms, especially for women.
To achieve expanded concourses, Sobolik said preliminary plans include a possible new main entrance area to the dome on the southeast corner and moving the walls farther out on the other sides of the building to allow for better circulation of guests in the hallways.
Also high on the list are more efficiencies and revamping of storage facilities to allow easier changes between entertainment venues and other sporting and meeting events and for concessions.
