Repair update: NRG Stadium roof panels on track to be fixed by Sept. 29

HOUSTON – The timetable for a full repair of the NRG Stadium roof damaged by Hurricane Beryl is set for the end of September.

That falls in line with the original projection from Texans principal owner Cal McNair.

The home of the Texans is still in need of repair from damage caused by the Category 1 storm that ripped off multiple panels on the roof.

NRG Park said in a news release that one of the panels will be repaired by the Texans’ home opener Sept. 15 against the Chicago Bears. And the other panel is set to be ready by a Sept. 29 home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

During the Texans’ home game against the New York Giants, fans in the uncovered area dealt with uncomfortable conditions due to the direct sunlight peeking through the uncovered portions of the roof despite the air conditioning in the facility. Some of those fans moved to other sections for relief.

The stadium, which is owned by Harris County, is expected to have the panels for the roof arrive and be installed by the fourth game of the regular season.

“Guest safety remains our top priority,” NRG Park said in a statement. “We appreciate the patience and support of our guests as we work diligently to restore the stadium roof to its full operational capacity. As guests plan their visit to NRG Stadium, we recommend they stay informed about weather forecasts and prepare and dress accordingly, whether it be for rain, heat or other conditions. Until the roof is fully repaired, whether it is open or closed, portions of the stadium floor and seats will be exposed to the elements.”

In football parlance, NRG Stadium is playing hurt and still on the injury report.

The Texans have advised fans about the situation in media interviews and released a time lapse video days before the New York game.

McNair said at the start of training camp that the team expects the retractable roof to have the capability to be open or closed until NRG Stadium is fully repaired.

The damage wasn’t as significant as 2008 when Hurricane Ike, a Category 2 storm, damaged five panels.

“The studies on that are ongoing, and we’ll learn more as we kind of work through it,” McNair said. “There are several panels that were damaged. These things aren’t on your local shelf at the do-it-yourself Home Depot. Wonderful stores that are around. They’re special-ordered, specially-made, so it’ll take a while. We’re hopeful that we’ll get them about a month into the season.

“The studies are showing that we’ll be able to keep the roof closed or open. So, we’ll have the choice to do that. And then we have a couple of events coming up, or we’ll get to study and see, how the building is able to condition.”

NRG Stadium, the home of the Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, was seen with multiple missing panels from its retractable roof in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

“Like many of our neighbors in the Gulf Coast region, NRG Park sustained damage from Hurricane Beryl, including to the roof of NRG Stadium,” NRG Park CEO and executive director Ryan M. Walsh said in a statement at the time of the storm. “HCSCC officials are collaborating with state, county, and city officials to assist with recovery efforts throughout the region. This collective undertaking requires all of us to work together with a strong commitment to our community. While we assist with these efforts, we are also assessing the extent of damages to NRG Park facilities. We look forward to seeing our neighbors at NRG Park soon as we return to normal operations.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.