Edmonton 
Alberta’s government is committing $27 million to modernize the University of Alberta’s Universiade Pavilion, widely known as the Butterdome, with construction expected to wrap up by fall 2027.
Butterdome Rendering/Credit: ACI Architects.
Built in 1983 for the Summer Universiade Games, the 64,000-square-foot facility has become one of the university’s most recognizable landmarks. Over time, its exterior cladding and roof have reached the end of their practical life, with rusted panels, leaks, and safety concerns related to snow and ice sliding onto nearby sidewalks.
Beginning this spring, renovations will focus on replacing the aging exterior and roof to address those safety issues, improve lighting and pedestrian access, and enhance the building’s overall energy performance. Solar panels will also be added to the roof as part of the project’s sustainability measures.
Butterdome Rendering/Credit: ACI Architects.
“The Butterdome is a long-standing cornerstone of the University of Alberta’s campus,” said Myles McDougall, Minister of Advanced Education. He said the upgrades will help ensure the facility remains “safe, welcoming and ready for the future.”
Todd Gilchrist, the university’s vice-president of University Services, Operations and Finance, said the funding will allow the pavilion to continue hosting events and activities that serve the Edmonton community.
Butterdome Rendering/Credit: ACI Architects.
The new exterior design will retain the building’s signature yellow while incorporating shades of green, reflecting the university’s official colours. Design elements will also draw inspiration from the North Saskatchewan River, with a river-shaped motif and lighting feature woven across the façade. Additional windows will bring more natural light inside and strengthen the building’s connection to the surrounding streetscape.
The Butterdome includes a seven-lane indoor track, multiple sport courts, a soccer field, and seating for 5,500 spectators. For more than four decades, it has hosted sporting events, ceremonies, career fairs, and community gatherings.
