WATERLOO, Ont. — Wilfrid Laurier University officially opened its new multi-use Dome at University Stadium on Tuesday during a ceremony attended by university leaders, City of Waterloo officials, donors, supporters, student-athletes, coaches, community members and media. The Dome provides students, varsity athletes and the broader Waterloo community with a new indoor space for sport and recreation.
The air-supported structure — at 118,750 square feet, the largest of its kind among all Ontario University Sport member institutions — encloses the stadium's entire turf surface during the winter months. It will support uninterrupted training for varsity and club teams, including football, soccer, rugby and lacrosse. Intramurals, recreation programs, drop-in hours and community rentals will also operate in the new facility. In 2026, the Dome is expected to host more than 1,800 hours of programming.
"As the outgoing Director of Athletics and Recreation, it's felt particularly meaningful for me and the team" said Kate McCrae Bristol, who was recently promoted to the role of Vice President of Student Affairs with Wilfrid Laurier University. "As a community member, I've lived in Waterloo for over 40 years. I've played every sport in every facility in this region. My kids are active across the city. And so, with my purple and gold heart and spirit, I know this space is going to be transformational for all of us".
Standing approximately 80 feet high, the seasonal structure spans the entire playing surface at University Stadium and can be divided in half and into thirds using interior curtains. It is supported by an energy-efficient air system and features LED lighting and accessible entry points. The Dome will be installed beginning of December annually and removed after the May long weekend to allow for outdoor competition and training during warmer months.
University Stadium, home of Laurier's Golden Hawks, is owned and operated by Wilfrid Laurier University. A fixture in Waterloo's sports community since its opening in 1958, the stadium is undergoing a multi-phase redevelopment made possible in part by student support. In 2024, Laurier students voted in favour of new fees to expand recreation space on campus, launching significant improvements at the 81 Seagram Drive site. The Dome marks the latest milestone in the ongoing revitalization.
"Partnerships are obviously really key to the City of Waterloo to be able to bring something like this to life" said Waterloo Mayor, Dorothy McCabe. "Laurier is an anchor in our community, and it's important that we can find new space. We know Waterloo's a little bit short of land sometimes, so we need to use it creatively, and this is a perfect example of that".
The project has been made possible through the support of Laurier students, including the Wilfrid Laurier University Students' Union and the Graduate Students' Association, as well as contributions from the City of Waterloo and several individual donors.
Programming inside the Dome begins Sunday, Feb. 1, and will include training time for Laurier varsity teams, new winter field intramurals, student drop-in hours and, through a partnership with the City of Waterloo, dedicated time for local minor sports groups.
To date, the Seagram Drive Athletics & Recreation Project has:
- Removed the original grandstand seating
- Replaced the turf
- Installed a new LED videoboard scoreboard
- Replaced the field lighting
- Constructed new stands for up to 3,000 fans (with capacity increasing to 5,000 with standing room)
- Added the Dome to support winter field use
Future phases of the project will focus on the adjacent building and remain subject to further funding and governance approvals. Architectural planning for that space is underway.
Media contact:
Dan Polischuk
Coordinator, Sports Information & Communications
Wilfrid Laurier University
Department of Athletics & Recreation
dpolischuk@wlu.ca
548-889-3831
