Donors power year-round play at University Stadium

On January 27, 2026, the weather was bitterly cold and snowy, but inside the brand-new dome at Laurier’s University Stadium, it was like a spring day.

The Laurier Women's Soccer team was hosting a skills clinic for local girls' soccer on the east side, the young athletes running and shouting on the bright turf, coloured in bright green, purple and gold.

On the west side, Laurier students, staff and leadership came together with community members to celebrate this incredible new Athletics and Recreation facility.

Guests of honour, the donors who generously supported the project, included representatives from the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union, the Laurier Graduate Students’ Association and the City of Waterloo.

“Welcome to the dome over Knight-Newbrough Field at University Stadium!” said Kate McCrae Bristol, outgoing director of Athletics and Recreation and Laurier’s newly appointed vice-president of Student Affairs, to the cheers of the crowd.

Speakers at the event included Laurier’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Deborah MacLatchy; the Mayor of Waterloo, Dorothy McCabe; President and CEO of the Students’ Union, Ryan Jobby; President and CEO of the Graduate Students’ Association, Taylor Coleman; and Kate Ferguson, captain of Laurier’s Women’s Lacrosse team.

Ferguson spoke warmly on behalf of her fellow student-athletes in expressing her gratitude.

“On behalf of our varsity athletes, we’d like to thank all those who have helped make this possible,” she said. “The addition of the dome at the stadium represents a significant investment in athletics, accessibility and student well-being here at Laurier. For all outdoor sports such as my own, this facility is transformative.”

At more than 118,000 square feet, the facility is the largest seasonal dome in the OUA and among the largest in university sport in Canada. It will make a significant impact beyond the university; Waterloo Region is a very active community where athletic and recreational spaces are in much higher demand than current supply.

“Laurier is very proud to support a thriving community through much-needed athletics and recreation infrastructure,” said MacLatchy during her remarks. “And this new space will be truly transformational for [Waterloo] Region, not only supporting our own students' health and wellness and enhancing varsity athletics, but also providing year-round field access for community and minor sport organizations.”

“We are excited for what we will do for university athletics,” said Mayor McCabe in her remarks that followed. “We’re really excited to see how we can use this as a community because we know healthy thriving and well community requires sites like this.”

After the formal remarks, attendees mingled, enjoyed refreshments and took the opportunity for a guided tour of the dome by Athletics and Recreation staff, who were on hand to answer questions from guests and media.

The dome officially opened for programming on February 1, 2026, and will allow for 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.

The dome will come down immediately following the May long weekend – the process takes two to three weeks. It will begin to be raised again in early December with projected opening in early January for the winter 2026/27 season.