Walkup Skydome facts for kids
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"Skydome"
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NAU skydome (bottom)
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 Flagstaff
Location in the United States
Flagstaff
Location in Arizona
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| Former names | NAU Skydome (1977–1979) |
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| Address | McConnell Drive |
| Location | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 35°10′50″N 111°39′09″W / 35.1805°N 111.6525°W |
| Elevation | 6,880 feet (2,095 m) AMSL |
| Owner | Northern Arizona University |
| Operator | Northern Arizona University |
| Capacity | 11,230 – total 10,000 – permanent seats 1,230 seats in ten sections of portable bleachers - basketball = 7,000 |
| Surface | FieldTurf (2002–present) AstroTurf (1977–2001) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 4, 1975 |
| Opened | September 17, 1977 |
| Renovated | 2010–2011 |
| Construction cost | $8.0 miilion ($38.6 million in 2022 ) |
| Architect | Rossman and Partners |
| Structural engineer | John K. Parsons |
| General contractor | Mardian Construction Company |
| Tenants | |
| NAU Lumberjacks (NCAA) (1977–present) | |
The J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, often called the "Skydome," is a huge indoor stadium in Flagstaff, Arizona. It's located right on the campus of Northern Arizona University (NAU). This amazing building is mainly used by the NAU Lumberjacks football, men's basketball, and women's basketball teams. These teams are part of the Big Sky Conference. The stadium can hold over 11,000 people, with many permanent seats and some extra portable ones.
Contents
History of the Skydome
Building a Giant Dome
The Skydome first opened its doors on September 15, 1977. Back then, it didn't even have a name! The very first football game was played on September 17, 1977. The NAU Lumberjacks won against Montana in a super close game. Over 12,000 fans came to watch that exciting first game. Before the Skydome, NAU football games were played outside on grass.
A World Record Holder
For six years, the Walkup Skydome was the biggest clear-span timber dome in the world! A clear-span dome means it has no support columns inside, making the space feel huge and open. It was built using strong southern yellow pine wood. The main architect, Wendell Rossman, also designed many other buildings at NAU.
Who Was J. Lawrence Walkup?
The Skydome is named after J. Lawrence Walkup, who was the president of NAU from 1957 to 1979. He helped the university grow a lot during his time. In the 1970s, money was tight, but he found a clever way to pay for the stadium. More than half of the $8 million cost came from students who agreed to pay a little extra in fees. The state government and money saved from vending machines on campus also helped. The stadium was named after him in 1979, after he retired.
High Up in the Mountains
The Skydome is located very high up, about 6,880 feet (2,097 meters) above sea level! This makes it one of the highest college football stadiums in the country. When it first opened, the football field was made of AstroTurf. But in 2002, it was updated to a newer type of artificial grass called FieldTurf.
Modern Upgrades
A Big Renovation Project
From December 2010 to September 2011, the Skydome got a huge makeover! This big renovation cost $26 million. Many parts of the building were updated to make it safer and more modern. The bathrooms, hallways, offices, and locker rooms were all remodeled. They also added three elevators, which made it much easier for everyone to get around.
Better for Fans
After the renovation, fans now get an amazing view of the field as soon as they walk in. The stadium's seating capacity was changed to 10,000. Now, all the seats are comfy 21-inch-wide chairs, making it a much better experience for everyone watching the games or other events.
More Than Just Sports
Other Cool Events
The Skydome isn't just for sports! It's a very versatile space. Many other important events happen there, like graduation ceremonies for NAU students. It also hosts big concerts, conventions, and trade shows. The main floor of the arena is huge, with about 97,000 square feet of space.
NFL Team Practice Spot
For a while, the NFL team, the Arizona Cardinals, used the Skydome. They would hold their summer training camp at NAU. If the weather outside was bad, they could move inside the Skydome to practice.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I FCS football stadiums
- List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas
- List of convention centers in the United States
