Waterloo City Council approves $2.5M grant for Laurier stadium renovations

Waterloo City Council has approved a grant of $2.5 million to Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) to assist in the renovation of their stadium.

The City will be allowed to use the upgraded facility for community groups and sports for the next 10 years in exchange for the funding.

The money from this grant will be used to help build a year-round bubble around the turf field, along with upgrading the field, lighting and scoreboard. Over the next 10 years, the project is expected to cost between $80-100 million.

Jason Coolman, the vice-president of Advancement and External Relations at WLU, said the renovations would bring in more money in tourism and university level sports to the region. A 2022 report from Ontario University Athletics (OUA) found university level sports brought over $40 million to the region between Laurier and the University of Waterloo.

“We do see it as a future great opportunity for sport hosting,” said Coolman. He noted Laurier has 21 levels of support from local high sport level organizations expressing interest in the region because of its location on the ION.

Ward 2 Councillor Royce Bodaly said Laurier provides “untold benefits” to the community beyond the current stadium project.

“I think it’s incumbent upon us to look to unique and valuable community partners, such as Wilfrid Laurier University, to come to way to meet the needs of our residents across the city,” said Bodaly.

Phase one of the project was completed back in March with the removal of the grandstands. The next phase of the project is expected to begin in the next few weeks.