The New Orleans Superdome is gearing up to host its first football game since the venue was closed after Hurricane Katrina struck the city at the end of August last year.

The 31-year-old Superdome – which came to symbolise the suffering of the Southern states decimated by Katrina – has been rebuilt at a cost of US$180m (£95m, Euro141m) and will host the New Orleans Saints against the Atlanta Braves tonight (Monday 25 September).

More than 30,000 refugees were housed in the Superdome after Katrina and subsequent severe flooding, destroyed much of downtown New Orleans. Although the venue had drinking water, food and dim lighting, due to emergency generators, neither the plumbing or air conditioning worked, causing temperatures to soar to nearly 100 degrees.

The scene of tens of thousands of people sleeping in the only clothes they owned, on the floor, surrounded by rubbish, was one of the lasting images of the crisis.

The decision to fast-track the substantial redevelopment and improvement of the Superdome – which included the replacement of thousands of seats, installation of a new scoreboard and new lighting and the construction of a new roof – has generated substantial criticism, with thousands of people still homeless and the infrastructure of the city still in turmoil.

Locals have expressed a mixed reaction to the reopening. Many view it as an important and symbolic step in the regeneration of the city, while others – many of whom may never be able to return home – see it as a publicity stunt and represents a failure to tackle more pressing concerns.

Kathleen Blanco, the governor of Louisiana, is quoted in The New York Times, saying: “I realise that it may be hard for some people to come back here. But I believe that the very best thing those people can do for their inner healing is to walk this walk again, and let those memories fall out.”

Early indications are that people might do just that, with a sellout 68,000 expected for the reopening gala, which will feature performances by U2 and Greenday.

The project has been funded by around US$120m from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, US$20m from the National Football League (NFL), with US$13m coming from the state of Louisiana.