WATERLOO, Ont. - The team behind the Seagram Drive Re-Development and Knight-Newbrough Field Dome has received a 2026 President's Award, recognized for delivering a major campus and community project through collaboration, innovation and shared leadership.
The award recognizes the cross-functional team's ability to integrate diverse perspectives, communicate openly and advance institutional priorities while responding to the needs of students and community partners.
Through partnerships across Facilities and Asset Management, Athletics and Recreation, Student Affairs, senior leadership, student associations, donors and the City of Waterloo, the team successfully designed and delivered a winterized, air-supported dome at University Stadium that expands access to recreation, sport and community programming year-round.
The nomination highlighted several key achievements, including the on-schedule delivery of the largest dome facility in Ontario University Athletics, the implementation of a seasonal, energy-efficient deployment model, and the creation of a flexible, accessible space expected to support thousands of hours of winter programming annually.
Project leaders were also recognized for their careful planning, transparent decision-making processes and commitment to shared use, efforts that have strengthened both campus life and community connection.
The President's Awards are presented annually to individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional performance across two or more Employee Success Factor areas. Up to three awards are granted each year, including one individual award and up to two team awards.
The awards form part of Laurier's Employee Achievement Awards program, which recognizes faculty, contract teaching faculty, staff and management for significant contributions to the university community through their application of the Employee Success Factors.
The Employee Success Factors framework outlines the skills, knowledge and learning behaviours considered critical to advancing Laurier's strategic goals. The framework emphasizes four core areas: collaboration, inclusion, innovation and accountability.
