The Dome at University Stadium is a multi-use dome that 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.
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.
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.
