Winter Haven’s Iconic Orange Dome Demolished to Make Way for The Landings

It was the Grand Dame of Winter Haven, a marvel in her day. But now she is gone. On February 13, 2012, Pece of Mind Demolition brought down the roof of the famed Orange Dome as onlookers snapped photos. James Koon took a piece of the rubble. “Growing up around Winter Haven, I just wanted a piece for posterity,” he told FOX 13. The dome was built in the mid-60’s as an exhibition hall for the Citrus Festival. After the festival was discontinued, the city never found another good use for it, and finally decided the dome’s run was over. The dome sat on a piece of prime property on Cypress Gardens Blvd. Developers plan to build a complex called “The Landings” on it now. The first phase, which is scheduled to be complete by next fall, will include a Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Panera Bread. “I think it is one of the projects that is right on our doorstep that has our optimism at a high point,” said Bob Gernert, executive director of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. From Ken Suarez, FOX 13 News Polk County reporter, on myfoxtampabay.com.