Another major sports facility is coming to the University of Lethbridge campus — further cementing ULethbridge as the sporting hub for southern Alberta.
An air-supported, 127,680 sq ft Multi-Sport Dome will be constructed immediately north of the existing Community Sports Stadium — significantly expanding year-round sport, recreation and training opportunities for students and the broader community while substantially increasing indoor capacity on the ULethbridge campus. Designed for flexibility and year-round use, the facility will support a wide range of sports and activities.
The new $13.5-million dome is backed by a landmark $1.15 million contribution from the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU).
“Students are at the heart of this project,” says University of Lethbridge President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Digvir Jayas. “The ULSU’s commitment is a powerful vote of confidence in what this facility will mean for student wellness, campus life and access to year-round recreation. Together with the Community Sports Stadium and the Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness, the Multi-Sport Dome will strengthen ULethbridge as a place where students and the community come together to play, practice, compete and train.”
The Students’ Union contribution represents one of the most significant student-led investments in campus recreation in the University’s history and will directly support expanded access to indoor sport and activity space for student clubs, intramurals, recreation programming and Pronghorn Athletics. The ULSU will confirm the facility’s official name in the coming months.
“We are proud to invest in the Multi-Sport Dome for its impact on student programming, employment, wellness and scholarship funding,” says ULSU President, Alejandro Figueroa. “Through this investment, we increase opportunities for our students, improve the health of our community, and create more student-focused spaces on our campus.”
The desire for a facility such as this has been steadily growing for years. Existing programming in the University’s Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness is already above capacity, making it considerably difficult to meet the needs of Pronghorn Athletics, intramurals and community-based bookings.
“The demand for quality indoor training, community activity and recreational facility space is overwhelming on campus and throughout southern Alberta,” says Neil Langevin, Executive Director, Pronghorn Athletics and Recreation Services. “The Multi-Sport Dome will help meet those needs and added to the Community Sports Stadium and the Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness, the new facility further establishes ULethbridge as a community hub for sport and recreation.”
As west Lethbridge continues to grow and the University advances development of the adjacent South Campus Lands, demand for flexible, year-round facilities is expected to increase. The dome will also support expanded summer camp opportunities.
Momentum for the facility continues to build through strong community collaboration. The City of Lethbridge is contributing to the project through a $200,000 Community Capital Project Grant, and agreements with additional community partners are progressing well and will be finalized soon, reflecting broad interest in bringing this much-needed facility to Lethbridge.
A field house will also be constructed and attached to the dome, and parking at the Community Sports Stadium will be expanded to meet additional parking requirements. Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin early 2027 with completion anticipated in August 2027.
“This project is such a win-win,” adds Jayas. “It supports the student experience, strengthens connections between our campus and the Lethbridge community, and creates new recreational opportunities as the South Campus lands are developed. The revenue-generating potential of the Multi-Sport Dome also advances a key priority of our Strategic Plan, and we are grateful for the leadership and support of the ULSU on behalf of students now and for generations to come.”
Multi-Sport Dome Fast Facts
- Total project cost: $13.5 million
- Funding includes:
- ULethbridge capital funds
- $1.15 million from the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU)
- $200,000 Community Capital Project Grant from the City of Lethbridge
- Location: Directly north of the existing Community Sports Stadium
- Structure: Air-supported structure measuring 480 by 266 feet
- Interior features:
- Turf field (420 by 250 feet) designed for use by sports such as soccer, football, rugby, ultimate, field lacrosse and softball/baseball
- Two sport courts configured end-to-end (266 by 60 feet) designed for use by sports such as futsal, tennis, pickleball and basketball
- Multi-lane track (100m sprint area, 266 feet long) designed to be used for track throwing events and track sprint training
- Capacity: Two 9 v 9 soccer field pitches and four 7 v 7 soccer field pitches
- Surface materials:
- FIFA Quality Pro turf
- Beynon PolyTurf Plus SP and BSS 1000 sport court systems
Construction timeline: Begins early 2027, anticipated completion August 2027