UNI-Dome facts for kids
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| Location | 2401 Hudson Road Cedar Falls, Iowa, 50614 United States |
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| Public transit |  9 10 MET Transit |
| Owner | University of Northern Iowa |
| Operator | University of Northern Iowa |
| Capacity | 17,190 (American football) |
| Surface | AstroTurf PureGrass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | July 26, 1974 |
| Built | 1974–1976 |
| Opened | February 7, 1976 |
| Construction cost | $7.5 million ($38.6 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Thorson–Brom–Broshar–Snyder |
| Structural engineer | Geiger-Berger Associates |
| General contractor | John G. Miller Construction Company |
| Tenants | |
| Northern Iowa Panthers Football (1976–present) IHSAA Football Playoffs (1976–present) UNI Panthers Men's Basketball (1976–2006) UNI Panthers Women's Basketball (1978–2006) UNI Panthers Wrestling (1976–2006) UNI Panthers Volleyball (1978–2006) |
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The UNI-Dome (pronounced "YOU-nih-dome") is a large indoor stadium located at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It first opened its doors in 1976. This stadium is the proud home of the UNI Panthers football team.
The UNI-Dome can hold about 16,324 fans for football games. It has also hosted many other exciting events. These include the Iowa State High School football championships every year since 1976. Over the years, it has been a venue for wrestling, track and field events, concerts, and big conventions.
Contents
History of the UNI-Dome
The UNI-Dome has an interesting history, including some big changes. In 1994, the original roof, which was held up by air, collapsed during a snowstorm. Because this had happened before, it was replaced with a stronger, more permanent metal roof.
Before 2006, the UNI-Dome was also home to the university's basketball, volleyball, and wrestling teams. These teams later moved to the McLeod Center, a new building connected to the UNI-Dome. The biggest crowd ever for a football game at the UNI-Dome was 17,190 people. This record was set on October 17, 2009, during a game against Southern Illinois.
Upgrades and Renovations
The UNI-Dome has received several important upgrades to keep it modern and safe.
Roof Repairs
In 2010, the roof was repaired again after a strong wind storm in July 2009 caused damage. The repairs cost nearly $4 million. That storm also damaged many trees and power lines across Cedar Falls.
New Video Boards
For the 2008 football season, the UNI-Dome got a new, clear HD video board. This replaced an older board that often had problems. Much of the money for this new board came from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. They host their state football championships at the UNI-Dome every year.
In 2014, an even larger video board was installed at the south end of the stadium. It measured 98 feet by 26 feet! The older video board was then moved to the north end. These improvements were made possible with help from the Black Hawk Gaming Association.
New Field Turf
In 2017, the University of Northern Iowa Athletics announced a major upgrade to the field. They added new AstroTurf, which is a special type of artificial grass. This new turf cost about $900,000 and was ready for the 2017 football season.
Cool Features of the UNI-Dome
One fun tradition at football games is how the announcers talk about the weather. They announce the temperature in the visiting team's hometown. Then, they proudly say, "The temperature in the Dome, no wind, 72°, Welcome to the UNI-DOME!" This highlights how comfortable it is inside, no matter the weather outside.
The university celebrated 40 years of the UNI-Dome in 2016. The Panthers football team has a great record playing at home. As of December 1, 2019, they had won almost 80 percent of their games in the dome!
Other Ways the Dome is Used
When the athletic teams are not using the UNI-Dome, it is open to the public. Many students and local people come to run or walk on the concourse and stairs. The UNI-Dome also hosts graduation ceremonies for the university. A very special ceremony took place in 2011 when former First Lady Michelle Obama gave the main speech.
Exciting Events and Concerts
The UNI-Dome has been a popular spot for many big events, including concerts by famous bands and artists. Some of the legendary groups who have performed here include The Rolling Stones, The Who, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, and Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac even set an attendance record with 25,500 people at their concert on December 1, 1979. Other stars like Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, and Garth Brooks have also played at the UNI-Dome.
Images for kids
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UNI football game against the St. Francis Red Flash on September 19, 2009
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Professors marching in a commencement ceremony, December 2005
See also
- List of NCAA Division I FCS football stadiums
- List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas
