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UNI-Dome 2.1 debuts upgrades, with more still planned

‘Its seating, restrooms and much of the infrastructure are … no longer adequate for current needs’

Vanessa MillerVanessa Miller

Sep. 8, 2025 4:54 pm, Updated: Sep. 8, 2025 9:38 pm

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Hand rails in the wider aisles are one of the new features added for visitor comfort and safety during a tour of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Monday, September 8, 2025. The facility, opened in 1976, is going through about a $50 million renovation in multiple phases. The renovations include, new and wider seating, wider aisles, hand rails, an expanded suite level with ten suites as well as party decks in the NW and SW corners. Future renovations phases will include an all-new indoor track with the possibility of hosting world-class events, new restroom facilities that will triple the capacity in the womens’ restrooms, an improved sound system and more efficient lighting. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Hand rails in the wider aisles are one of the new features added for visitor comfort and safety during a tour of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Monday, September 8, 2025. The facility, opened in 1976, is going through about a $50 million renovation in multiple phases. The renovations include, new and wider seating, wider aisles, hand rails, an expanded suite level with ten suites as well as party decks in the NW and SW corners. Future renovations phases will include an all-new indoor track with the possibility of hosting world-class events, new restroom facilities that will triple the capacity in the womens’ restrooms, an improved sound system and more efficient lighting. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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CEDAR FALLS — Celebrating its new seats, suites, and Teflon-coated fiberglass roof, the University of Northern Iowa’s UNI-Dome on Monday hosted a tour of its recent renovations aimed at appealing to the “next generation” of fans and athletes.

The “phase 2.1” renovations are part of a larger UNI-Dome renewal effort expected to cost up to $50 million. To date, the campus has spent $18.2 million of that total on a new team room, new $8 million Teflon roof, and most recently new seats and suites.

A Northern Iowa Panthers football players runs below new signage during a tour of renovations at the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. The facility, opened in 1976, is going through about a $50 million renovation in multiple phases. The renovations include new and wider seating, wider aisles, hand rails, an expanded suite level with 10 suites as well as party decks. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
A Northern Iowa Panthers football players runs below new signage during a tour of renovations at the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. The facility, opened in 1976, is going through about a $50 million renovation in multiple phases. The renovations include new and wider seating, wider aisles, hand rails, an expanded suite level with 10 suites as well as party decks. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

In total, the seating-and-suites renovation upgraded more than 90,000 square feet of the UNI-Dome, which opened in 1976 and annually welcomes 500,000 visitors — contributing $17 million to the local economy every year.

Hosting more than 40 community events annually — including the Iowa high school football championships, USA Wrestling events, Special Olympics, high school and community colleges graduations, and concerts — the UNI-Dome has seen only occasional and modest updates until now.

“Its seating, restrooms and much of the infrastructure are original to the building, and no longer adequate for current needs,” according to UNI’s request for Board of Regents approval on the 2.1 project in November.

Specific improvements include widened aisles and seats, new party decks in the northwest and southwest corners, premium seating options, and new expanded suites aimed at generating more revenue to support Panther Athletics and UNI-Dome operations.

Purple seats create a more cohesive atmosphere than the former red, blue and yellow seats during a tour of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. Wider aisles and seats mean the arena’s seating capacity is shrinking from 16,000 to 12,000. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Purple seats create a more cohesive atmosphere than the former red, blue and yellow seats during a tour of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. Wider aisles and seats mean the arena’s seating capacity is shrinking from 16,000 to 12,000. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Given much of the UNI-Dome is not ADA accessible — meaning it doesn’t comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act — the project also brought the facility into compliance and resolved State of Iowa Building Code deficiencies.

“A new elevator will be installed on the west side for access to offices and seating areas,” UNI reported of its upgrades.

Because of the wider aisles and seats, the arena’s seating capacity is shrinking from 16,000 to 12,000, “but the overall seating experience will be greatly improved,” according to a UNI FAQ on the project.

The Board of Regents in April approved “phase 2.2” of the modernization project — which will spend $8.4 million updating more than 5,400 square feet of public restrooms, upgrading concourse terraces, and adding new signage and wayfinding.

Construction on that phase is scheduled to continue through July 2026, according to board documents.

A timeline for phases 3 and 4 — expected to cost a total $24.4 million — has yet to be determined, but hopes to include an all-new indoor track, improved sound system, more efficient lighting, and enhanced graphics and finishes throughout the facility “pending funding.”

A sculpture of the University of Northern Iowa mascot, TC, is seen in the concourse during a tour of renovations at the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. The facility, opened in 1976, is going through about a $50 million renovation in multiple phases.(Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Purple seats create a more cohesive atmosphere than the former red, blue and yellow seats during a tour of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
A new Teflon-coated fiberglass roof was installed during phase one of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
University of Northern Iowa Director of Athletics Megan Franklin talks about a First Game Certificate fans can have if they attend their first game at the UNI-Dome during a tour of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
The Van G. Miller Family Charitable Foundation Meeting Room was part of phase one of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. The room supports student-athletes and coaches and serves as suites for games/events. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
The UNI Panther is seen on a seat back in one of the premium seats as the reflection of the new Teflon-coated fiberglass roof is seen in a glass railing during a tour of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. The new roof was installed during phase one. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Hand rails in the wider aisles are one of the new features added for visitor comfort and safety during a tour of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Purple seats create a more cohesive atmosphere than the former red, blue and yellow seats during a tour of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
University of Northern Iowa director of athletics Megan Franklin speaks about the renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. The facility, opened in 1976, is going through about a $50 million renovation in multiple phases. The renovations include, new and wider seating, wider aisles, hand rails, an expanded suite level with ten suites as well as party decks in the NW and SW corners. Future renovations phases will include an all-new indoor track with the possibility of hosting world-class events, new restroom facilities that will triple the capacity in the women’s restrooms, an improved sound system and more efficient lighting. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
The field is seen during a tour of the renovated UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
A new Teflon-coated fiberglass roof was installed during phase one of renovations to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls on Monday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com

Article Tags University of Northern Iowa, Iowa Board of Regents
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