Latest news
Wilfrid Laurier University officially opened its new multi-use Dome at University Stadium. 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.
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 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.
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.
