The Universiade Pavilion, commonly known as the Butterdome, is getting a new look that acknowledges the building's iconic past and incorporates modern and improved design elements.
Central to the new building envelope renovation is a palette of green and gold that draws from the university's colours and reflects the surrounding river valley's fall foliage. A lighting feature, inspired by the curves of the North Saskatchewan River, will weave across the new exterior and brighten the university's North Campus at night.
Added windows will allow more natural light into the space and establish a new relationship between the building and the street, making the building more welcoming.
"For decades, the Butterdome has been a home for athletic tournaments and so much more," says Todd Gilchrist, vice-president of University Services, Operations and Finance. "From celebrating high school graduations to hosting the annual craft sale and even serving as a safe space during a provincial crisis it has consistently brought people together."
However, the building's cladding has reached the end of its practical life, with some of its panels gathering rust and damage causing leaks in the building. Due to the existing building shape, snow and ice can slide from the roof onto sidewalks below, requiring the university to install protective scaffolding during colder months. The new design will correct this issue.
