News Municipal Sports turf
Waterloo council approves grant to university for stadium upgrades, including dome

City council in Waterloo, Ont. has approved a $2.5-million grant to Wilfrid Laurier University to help with renovations of the school’s stadium, including the installation of a year-round bubble to accommodate winter sports.

In exchange for the funding, the city will allow community sports groups to use the renovated stadium for the next 10 years.

In addition to the bubble dome, other upgrades to the stadium will include field improvements, new lighting and a scoreboard. Spread over 10 years, the total cost of the project is expected to be between $80 million and $100 million.

The project’s first phase was completed in March with the removal of grandstands. The second phase is expected to get underway in a few weeks.

The arrangement between the city and the university is expected to benefit tourism and bring high-level sports to the area, officials say.