U of A reveals Butterdome’s new look

For years, the Butterdome has felt like that one friend who refuses to admit they need help. Rusty panels, leaks, and ice sliding off the roof. Last week, the University finally revealed the vision for the Butterdome’s long-awaited full exterior renovation.

Construction is set to begin this spring, with completion expected in fall 2027. The goal is simple and overdue: replace the aging exterior and roof, deal with safety hazards, and make the building usable without needing seasonal scaffolding to stop chunks of ice from landing on people. 40 years is a good run for the beloved bright yellow shell, but it has clearly reached the end of its useful life.

The new design moves away from pure butter-yellow and leans into green and gold panels instead. It is still very much a campus statement piece, just slightly more modern and less “margarine.” The colours are meant to reflect university branding and the river valley, especially in the fall. The result looks clean, and surprisingly sharp.

One of the most noticeable additions is the new lighting feature wrapping around the building. It is inspired by the North Saskatchewan River, which is a new addition to the otherwise dark exterior. In practice, it kind of looks like a Minecraft river carving its way across the exterior. But honestly? It works. At night, it should add some much-needed life to that part of campus.

There are also practical upgrades being added along with aesthetics. Windows are being added to bring natural light inside, energy efficiency is being improved, and solar panels will be installed on the roof. A new west-side entrance is also planned, which should help with crowd flow during large events. These changes are designed to last about 50 years, which feels ambitious but appreciated.

The Universiade Pavilion, as it is officially known as, has done a lot over the decades. It was built for the 1983 Universiade Games and has since hosted varsity sports, intramurals, exams, job fairs, Remembrance Day ceremonies, emergency response operations, and even served as alternate hospital space during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is one of those buildings that becomes important because it can be used for almost anything.

The renovation is being funded primarily through a $27 million provincial grant. Sidewalk closures and site prep are already underway, which means campus navigation will get slightly worse before it gets better.

Although the exterior is changing, its versatility and valuable utility will remain. People will probably still call it the Butterdome — the nickname is too strong to disappear. With less rust and fewer falling ice hazards, maybe we will have a version of the Butterdome that feels like it belongs in 2026 instead of 1986.